3-Spr1-H

Outcomes

• Pupils can apply the orbital velocity equation
• Pupils can

Specification References

1.33 use the relationship between orbital speed, orbital radius and time period:

Starter

Have a pupil walk around a desk and ask how we'd calculate their speed. Try to get from discussion that it is the permiter of the desk which is important. Then have them link this to circles and the idea that the perimeter is important. Finally lead into the orbital speed equation.

Main Body of Lesson

Use the turn table with some army men to demonstrate how the orbital speed depends on the distance of the figure from the centre of the circle. Perform some measurements (this is a good time to show how to improve reliability of timings by taking times for 10 orbits). You could also have several pupils time rotations to get an average. Measure distance from centre of the turn table to the figure and calculate orbital speed.

Homework

Orbital velocity question sheet (in the shared area)