Explore how mass, gravity, and motion work together to create orbits. Build gravity wells, launch objects into space, and discover why planets do not simply fly away or crash into the Sun.
🔬 Learning Science FocusPhenomenon-FirstSpatial ReasoningProductive ExplorationRetrieval Practice
📋 MA STE Standards · Grade 66.MS-PS2-4MS-ESS1-2SEP-2SEP-6
Before You Begin
Read this first, then investigate
This is a four-step investigation into gravity, mass, and orbital motion. Complete each step in order.
Common Misconception
Gravity does not only pull things straight down. Gravity pulls objects toward the center of mass. In space, this pull can bend an object's path into an orbit, the object is constantly falling, but also moving forward fast enough to keep missing the mass.
What is this simulation showing?
Students test how mass changes the shape of a gravity well and how moving objects respond to that pull. Imagine spacetime as a rubber sheet, a massive object pushes the sheet downward, and nearby objects roll toward the depression.
Why do objects orbit?
An orbit happens when forward motion and gravity are balanced. The object is constantly falling toward the massive body, but also moving forward fast enough to keep missing it. Too slow: crash. Too fast: escape. Just right: orbit.
① Mass
② Build Well
③ Launch Orbit
④ Quiz
Phase 1
Gravity and Motion Concepts
Unlock all three gravity concepts to reveal how mass, gravity, and motion work together. Each one tells a different part of the story.
✓
Low Mass
🌙
A small object creates a shallow gravity well. Its pull is weaker and affects nearby objects less strongly, like a golf ball resting on a trampoline.
Click to unlock
✓
High Mass
☀️
A massive object creates a deeper gravity well. Its stronger pull can bend paths into orbit across enormous distances, like a bowling ball warping a trampoline sheet.
Click to unlock
✓
Motion Matters
🚀
Gravity alone does not make an orbit. An object also needs sideways motion. Too slow means crash. Too fast means escape. The right balance creates a stable orbit.
Click to unlock
Why this matters
Phase 2
Gravity Well Builder
Select each mass object and watch how it warps the spacetime grid. Compare the well depth across all five, notice how dramatically the shape changes. You must explore all five masses before the Orbit Challenge unlocks.
Spacetime Grid
Glowing trails show how nearby objects curve toward each mass, stronger gravity bends paths more sharply
Selected Mass
Select a mass from the panel to place it in the gravity field.
Select a Mass
Click each object to see how it warps the spacetime grid. Notice how well depth changes with mass.
0 / 5
Masses Explored, need all 5
Gravity Well Comparison
Rows appear as you test each mass. Compare how gravitational strength scales with mass.
Moon
1×
Earth
4×
Jupiter
12×
Sun
40×
Black Hole
∞
Phase 2 Checkpoint
What pattern did you observe?
Which statement best explains the relationship between mass and gravity wells?
Phase 3
Orbit Challenge
Select a central mass, then drag on the canvas to aim and set your probe's launch speed. Release to preview, then click Launch. Try to create a stable orbit or escape the gravity well.
How to Launch a Probe
1
Drag from the probe dot on the canvas to set your aim direction.
2
Longer drag = faster speed. Watch the speed meter below the canvas.
3
Aim sideways (perpendicular to the planet) to create orbit.
4
Too slow → gravity wins and the probe crashes in.
5
Too fast → probe escapes the gravity well entirely.
6
Use Reset to try again. Experiment until you find the orbit zone.
Orbit
Crash
Escape
Phase 3 Complete
Gravity and Motion Work Together
A stable orbit is not just gravity. It is gravity plus forward motion. Too little speed and the object crashes. Too much speed and it escapes. The right balance creates an orbit.
Aim to launchDrag on canvas to aim
Launch SpeedDrag to set speed
Too SlowOrbit ZoneToo Fast
Challenges
✓
Stable Orbit, EarthRequired
Keep a probe orbiting Earth for 4 seconds without crashing or escaping.
✓
Escape, Sun
Launch a probe fast enough to escape the Sun's gravity entirely.
✓
Stable Orbit, Jupiter
Orbit Jupiter without crashing into its massive gravitational pull.
✓
Flyby / Slingshot
Pass close to a mass and escape, a slingshot path around any object.
✓
Black Hole Survival
Survive near the black hole for 2 seconds without being captured.
Complete Earth orbit + 2 more missions to unlock the checkpoint.
Current Mass Hint
Earth: Drag about 1/3 of the canvas width sideways (perpendicular to the planet). Green zone on the speed meter = orbit range.
Phase 3 Checkpoint
What creates a stable orbit?
Next Step
Choose Your Mode
Switch to Classroom Mode to unlock the quiz and submit your work.
Practice Mode keeps the quiz locked.Classroom Mode unlocks the quiz and teacher submission.
Phase 4
Check Your Understanding
You have examined the evidence, built gravity wells, and launched orbital probes. Answer these five questions to show what you have discovered.
0 / 5 answered
Submit Your Work
Classroom Mode
Student Information
Complete and submit the quiz first.
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