Circular Motion

All Lessons

NYSSLS Reading Passages: Circular Motion

Circular Motion Eyes You'll Never See: The Many Uses of Artificial Satellites
Satellites in low, medium, and geosynchronous orbits around Earth, labeled by use: research and weather imaging in LEO, GPS in MEO, TV and communications in GEO, with gravity pulling toward Earth's center
From phone calls and GPS to hurricane forecasts and Hubble's view of deep space, every satellite mission comes down to the same physics: gravity providing centripetal force. Students see how altitude decides everything — and choose the right orbit for a real engineering scenario. 3 multiple-choice and 3 extended-response questions, built as an interactive web page. Open Reading Passage
Circular Motion Falling Sideways: The Hidden Physics of Turns, Loops, and Orbits
Orbit is continuous falling: gravity pulls inward while sideways velocity carries the satellite around Earth.
Why does your body slide toward the door when the car turns? How does a motorcyclist stay glued to a vertical loop, and why does the Moon never crash into us? One idea — centripetal force — ties together car turns, loop-the-loops, orbits, and the tilt of a leaning bicycle. 3 multiple-choice and 3 extended-response questions. Open Reading Passage