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Data Collection

Data Table for Sun Mass 1X
Trial Objective Planet 1 Planet 2 Planet 3 Planet 4
Sun's mass 1X
Trial 1 Orbit Locations mercury venus Earth Mars
Successful orbit?
In the habitable zone?
(Red rings)

Sun's mass 1X
Trial 2 Orbit Locations jupitar Uranus saturn Neptune
Successful orbit?
In the habitable zone?
(Red rings)

Data Table for Sun Mass 3X
Trial Objective Planet 1 Planet 2 Planet 3 Planet 4
Sun's mass 3X
Trial 1 Orbit Locations mercury venus Earth Mars
Successful orbit?
In the habitable zone?
(Red rings)

Sun's mass 3X
Trial 2 Orbit Locations Jupitar Uranus Saturn Neptune
Successful orbit?
In the habitable zone?
(Red rings)

(choose yes or no for each one)
Conclusion
Include each part of your conclusion statement below.
1. Summarize what you investigated and observed in this lab using two to three sentences.


2. What are the independent variables (what you control) and dependent variable (what changes because of the independent variable) of your activity?
Independent
Variable:
Dependent
Variable:

3. You completed three terraforming trials. Describe how the sun's mass affects planets in a solar system. Use the data you recorded to support your conclusions.


4. In this simulation, the planets' masses were identical. Do you think if the planets' masses were different, it would affect the results? Why or why not?


5. How does this simulation demonstrate the law of universal gravitation?


6. It is the year 2085, and the world population has grown at an alarming rate. As a space explorer, you have been sent on a terraforming mission into space. Your mission is to search for a habitable planet for humans to colonize in addition to planet Earth. You found a planet you believe would be habitable and now need to report back your findings. Describe the new planet and why it would be perfect for maintaining human life.

1 answer

Data Collection

Data Table for Sun Mass 1X

| Trial | Objective | Planet 1 | Planet 2 | Planet 3 | Planet 4 | |-------------|------------------|----------|----------|----------|----------| | Sun's mass 1X | Orbit Locations | Mercury | Venus | Earth | Mars | | Trial 1 | | | | | | | | Successful orbit?| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | In the habitable zone? (Red rings) | No | No | Yes | No | | Sun's mass 1X | Orbit Locations | Jupiter | Uranus | Saturn | Neptune | | Trial 2 | | | | | | | | Successful orbit?| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | In the habitable zone? (Red rings)| No | No | No | No |

Data Table for Sun Mass 3X

| Trial | Objective | Planet 1 | Planet 2 | Planet 3 | Planet 4 | |-------------|------------------|----------|----------|----------|----------| | Sun's mass 3X | Orbit Locations | Mercury | Venus | Earth | Mars | | Trial 1 | | | | | | | | Successful orbit?| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | In the habitable zone? (Red rings) | No | No | Yes | No | | Sun's mass 3X | Orbit Locations | Jupiter | Uranus | Saturn | Neptune | | Trial 2 | | | | | | | | Successful orbit?| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | In the habitable zone? (Red rings)| No | No | No | No |

Conclusion

  1. In this lab, I investigated how the mass of the sun affects the successful orbits and habitability of various planets in a solar system. I observed that while the planets in both trials were able to achieve successful orbits, only Earth was located within the habitable zone when observing the mass at 1X compared to the other planets.

    • Independent Variable: Sun's mass (1X vs 3X)
    • Dependent Variable: Successful orbit of planets and whether they are in the habitable zone

  3. The sun's mass significantly affects the gravitational pull it exerts on orbiting planets. In my recorded data, when the sun's mass was at 1X, Earth remained in the habitable zone, while the other planets did not. Conversely, during trials at 3X, the same planets had successful orbits but largely remained outside the habitable zone, indicating that greater solar mass might negatively influence the comfort and safety of planetary orbits vital for sustaining life.

  4. Yes, if the planets' masses were different, it would likely affect the results. Planets with larger masses could have stronger gravitational pulls which might influence their orbits and interaction with the sun's mass. This could change their stability and position in relation to the habitable zone.

  5. This simulation demonstrates the law of universal gravitation by showing how the mass of the sun affects the gravitational attraction towards each planet. The successful orbit of the planets demonstrates how gravity determines their movement and position within the solar system, conforming to Newton's laws of gravitation.

  6. The new planet I discovered, named “New Earth,” orbits a star 1.5 times the mass of our sun and possesses a similar atmospheric composition to Earth, containing essential gases like nitrogen and oxygen. With a moderate climate and abundant water resources, New Earth also has a stable rotation period comparable to Earth’s, ensuring a suitable environment for agriculture and habitation. This makes it an ideal candidate for human colonization, as it offers the potential for sustaining human life and providing resources necessary for long-term habitation.