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Prelab and Beginning Observations

This document provides instructions for an experiment using a PhET simulation to investigate the gravitational force between two objects. Students will qualitatively observe how gravitational force changes as mass, distance, and other variables are adjusted. They will then collect quantitative data to determine the gravitational constant G by varying one variable while keeping others constant and analyzing the relationship.

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88 views

Prelab and Beginning Observations

This document provides instructions for an experiment using a PhET simulation to investigate the gravitational force between two objects. Students will qualitatively observe how gravitational force changes as mass, distance, and other variables are adjusted. They will then collect quantitative data to determine the gravitational constant G by varying one variable while keeping others constant and analyzing the relationship.

Uploaded by

api-251840194
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Gravity Force Lab PhET Simulation

Today, you will use the Gravity Force Lab PhET Simulation to investigate what the gravitational
force between two objects depends on and experimentally determine the Universal Gravitational
constant, G.
PreLab and Beginning Observations
1) Write the formula for the force of gravity (Law of Universal Gravitation). Label each variable
and constant and include its units.
2) Open the Gravity Force PhET Simulation. What can you change about the simulation?
Part 1 Qualitative Observations
3) Look at the formula above. What three things can you change in the formula that you can
also change in the simulation?

4) Change each variable and record what happens to the gravitational force as you change it.
Be specific with your language (i.e. use terms like increase, decrease, remains constant).

Part 2 Quantitative Measurements


In this section of the lab, you will develop your own method for determining the gravitational
constant G in the formula for gravity using the simulation and Google Sheets.

Possible ideas
Change mass 1 and keep mass 2 and the distance constant and record gravitational force.
Change distance and keep mass 1 and 2 constant and record gravitational force.

In both of these examples, think about:


What you would graph and how it would allow you to determine the constant G.
Will your slope represent G only?
How much data should you collect given your time constraints?

In the space below,


Describe your procedure.
Describe how you chose what variable should be used for the x- axis.
What law of physics did you use to help you chose an appropriate trendline?
How do your results compare to the expected curve?
In an attached Google Sheet, show your data, graph, and value for G.

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