This universe demonstrates the effect of initial position on orbit.
ACTIVITY:
Several moons are positioned with increasing horizontal distance away from a planet. The initial upward velocity for all the moons is equal. Animate the system forward and observe what happens.
Q&A:
When the system is animated forward, several distinct paths are traced out.
1. What are their basic shapes?
2. What role did the initial positions play in determining these orbits? What about the initial velocities?