
Barycentric balls - orbits and the centre of mass | Teach with space P07
Whenever two or more objects are gravitationally bound, they will orbit around a common centre of mass, or barycentre, rather than one object remaining stationary and the other object(s) orbiting around it. The idea of the centre of mass is a key physics and mechanics topic and this simple demonstration provides a powerful visualisation of the principle of the barycentre. Focusing on a two body system, the demonstration illustrates the differences between a system of two equal mass objects orbiting each other, and a system in which one body is much more massive than the other.
Learning objectives
- Students will learn about the centre of mass and understand that for a gravitationally bound system with two or more bodies, all objects orbit about a common centre of mass.
- Students will learn how to apply the principle of moments in order to calculate the centre of mass of a two body system.
- Students will apply the physical concepts to several astronomical situations, learning about binary star systems, planet-moon systems and extrasolar planets.
Resource available in:
Subject:
- Mathematics, Physics
Age:
- Age 12-15, Age 12-19, Age 15-19
Time:
- Up to 30 minutes
Space theme:
- Astronomy & the Universe
Barycentric balls - classroom demonstration video, VP07a
Barycentric balls - classroom demonstration video, VP07b