Ball and String Demonstration

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Fall 2009-Day 13
Ball and String Demonstration

As Emily clarified many of the moon concepts, questions began arising about the orbit of the earth.


Emily: “We think the moon as moving around the earth, but why is it moving around the earth?”

*Emily swings the ball and string in a circle above her head* “Why is the moon moving around the earth?”

Student: “because you're swinging it.”

Emily: “Whats making it go around? Why isn't it just flying off?”

Student: “The string!”


With the ball and string visual representation, the students were able to see how the earth has a gravitational pull on the moon.
emilyswingingthemoon.jpg