The Earth & Space module reminds students about
the basics covered at Key Stage 3, and then builds on this work.
Ideas about orbits are extended, using the solar system
simulator below; students can investigate the elliptical
orbits of asteroids and comets can be modelled simply, as
well as binary and multi-star systems, slingshot orbits and
more.
This
simulation lets you investigate a wide range of orbital systems - and
create your own! Have fun :)
Click here to
open the simulation in full screen mode
Try some of
the presets to see the orbits of common objects in the solar system.
You can
also try to create your own orbital systems.
Challenge:
Try to set a moon in a retrograde orbit!
Applet credit: PheT.
Click below to load the simulation in full screen mode.
You can also set up standing waves by selecting fixed end
or open end, and selecting appropriate frequencies.
Browser doesn't support HTML5?
Click to Run
Use the Java version instead! :)
Laser ray boxes - fantastic for
optics demos.
Students can undertake practical work,
building simple Galilean and Keplerian telescopes and
exploring ideas about telescope optics.
There are now some very
affordable laser ray boxes
which are great for illustrating these ideas.
Timstar do a great kit
here (UK), or Arbor Scientific sell the same kit
here (US).
Making telescopes is fun, using
lens holders or cardboard tubes.
Click the image to go to
a high resolution zoomable version.
Stellar composition, spectroscopy, nuclear
fusion and stellar lifecycles are covered in detail. The
work extends to cover the large scale structure of the universe,
and evidence for the "big bang" theory of the
universe. A fun practical task, calculating Hubble's
constant for a one dimensional elastic universe, illustrates
these ideas nicely; an activity sheet for this can be found on
the "redshift" page.
Visit the lesson pages to find loads of
simulations, animations, videos, worksheets, and more!