Question

Sheila and Kevin are helping their science teacher design a lab exercise about gravity in the universe. The simple setup requires the use of two softballs. Ball 1 has nothing attached to it. Ball 2 has a long string connected to it. The first step of the activity is to throw Ball 1 in a straight line down the hallway to model a planet that is not affected by the Sun's gravity. What should be done in Step 2 to model the Sun's effect on a planet?

A. The ball is thrown around the body while holding on to the string.
B. The ball is thrown around the body with the string trailing behind.
C. The ball is thrown in a straight line while holding the string
D. The ball is thrown in a straight line with the string trailing behind.

Answer 1

To model the Sun's effect on a planet, Step 2 should involve throwing Ball 2 around the body while holding the string, demonstrating the planet's orbital motion around the Sun.

Step-by-step explanation:

To model the Sun's effect on a planet using two softballs where Ball 1 has nothing attached and Ball 2 has a long string connected, step two should involve utilizing the string to demonstrate the gravitational pull exerted by the Sun. The correct action to take in Step 2 would be: A. The ball is thrown around the body while holding on to the string. This action would simulate the effect of the Sun's gravity, with the person at the center acting as the Sun and the ball on the string representing the planet in orbit. Just as planets orbit the Sun in an elliptical path due to gravitational forces, the ball on the string will follow a circular path around the person, demonstrating the concept of orbital motion under the influence of a central gravitational force.