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STEMonstrations: Centripetal Force

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STEMonstration: Centripetal Force showing arrows pointing towards Earth

Audience

Educators

Grade Levels

Grades 9-12

Subject

Physical Science, Technology, Forces and Motion, Space Station

Type

Lesson Plans / Activities, Videos

In this episode, watch NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough as he discusses centripetal force and its connection to keeping the International Space Station safely orbiting Earth. Watch as JAXA astronaut Aki Hoshide demonstrates centripetal force in the microgravity environment aboard the space station and find out what happens to a revolving object when the centripetal force is lost.

Classroom Connection: Centripetal Force

Grade Level: 9-12

Time Required: 60 minutes

Next Generation Science Standards:

HS-PS2-1. Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.

HS-PS2-2. Use mathematical representations to support the claim that the total momentum of a system of objects is conserved when there is no net force on the system.