Great Circles Model

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Subject:

Science and Technology

Institution Name:

comPADRE

Collection:

Open Source Physics

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Abstract:

The EJS Great Circles model displays the frictionless motion of a particle that is constrained to follow the surface of a perfect sphere. The sphere rotates underneath the particle, but since there is no friction, and the sphere is perfectly spherical, the motion of the particle is not influenced by the sphere. The simulation shows simultaneously the trajectory with respect to the inertial coordinate system, and the trajectory as seen from a point of view that is co-rotating with the sphere. The particle remains co-rotating until the Release/Launch button is pressed. On pressing the Release/Launch button the particle commences to move along the great circle that is tangent to the initial latitude.

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Activities and Labs, Simulations

Media Format:

Graphics/Photos, Other

Conditions of Use:

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0