Find a
Resource
Select grade level(s) Select resource type(s) Select collection(s) Select standard(s) Skip navigation Digital Library for Earth System Education
Digital Library for Earth System Education
Home
New to DLESE?
Search tips
Educational resources > Find a resource > Resource description
Ellipses and Kepler's First Law
http://www.phy6.org/stargaze/Lkepl1st.htm
From DLESE Community Collection (DCC)
Comment on this resource
In this lesson the ellipse is studied in polar coordinates (r,f), with the function cos(f). This places the origin point at a focus (more appropriate for planetary motion) and introduces the eccentricity e. It is also noted that planets actually orbit the center of gravity of the solar system and that distant planets may be detected by motions of their central star around the centers of gravity of their planetary systems. It ends with a discussion of parabolic and hyperbolic orbits. Students will become familiar with graphs of the form r = F(f) in polar coordinates (r,f), in particular with the circle, ellipse and other conic sections. They will understand the role of the semi-major axis and eccentricity in determining the nature of an ellipse and that the fixed point in any planetary system is its center of gravity.
Intended for grade levels:
  • High (9-12)
Type of resource:
  • For the classroom:
    • Lesson plan
Subject:
  • Mathematics
  • Space science
Technical requirements:
No specific technical requirements, just a browser required
Cost / Copyright:
No cost
May be used non-commercially as long as credit is given to the author.
DLESE Catalog ID: DLESE-000-000-005-164
Educational standards:
  • National Science Education Standards (NSES):
    • 9-12:
      • D - Earth and space science:
        • Origin and evolution of the universe
      • G - History and nature of science:
        • Historical perspectives
        • Nature of scientific knowledge
        • Science as a human endeavor
Related resources:
This resource is referenced by 'From Stargazers to Starships'
http://www.phy6.org/stargaze/Sintro.htm
Resource contact / Creator / Publisher:
Author: Dr David P. Stern
Goddard Space Flight Center