ERIC Number: EJ887949
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-May
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-921X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Comparative Planetology Activity
LoPresto, Michael C.; Murrell, Steven R.
Physics Teacher, v48 n5 p296-299 May 2010
The beginning of a typical solar system "unit" in a traditional introductory astronomy course often consists of an overview of the different object types--planets, moons, and debris (asteroids, comets, and meteors), and now also Pluto's home, the Kuiper belt--prior to coverage of formation and more detail about the various object types. An important distinction that needs to be made prior to coverage of solar system formation or discussions of individual planets is between the two planet types: the Earth-like or "terrestrial" planets, and the Jupiter-like or "Jovian" planets. The following is a description of an activity designed to establish these categories through conclusions drawn by students after a guided analysis of planetary data.
Descriptors: Astronomy, Science Instruction, Science Activities, Introductory Courses, Scientific Concepts, Teaching Methods
American Association of Physics Teachers. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740. Tel: 301-209-3300; Fax: 301-209-0845; e-mail: pubs@aapt.org; Web site: http://scitation.aip.org/tpt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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