An orbit model shows a relationship, not every force

Move a card around a fixed marker to represent travelling around another body. A caption should explain the chosen relationship, while making clear that the tabletop path does not reproduce realistic timing, distances or gravitational behaviour.

To hand: A fixed centre marker and movable card.

Keep a caption naming the relationship being represented. The classroom movement does not reproduce gravitational forces or realistic orbital timing.

Label the part being represented

Identify the centre. Move the card around it. Label the represented relationship.

A circular classroom path is a simplified orbit representation.

The model omits many physical details. What is simplified?

Move a card rather than requiring walking.

Resources

• Solar System Planet Order — Use the sequence cards and add a note that spacing is not a distance scale.

Further reading

• NASA Science — Solar System exploration

Read next

• Turning in place and travelling around are separate movements
• Planet groupings need source properties, not picture colours
• A fossil identification needs more than a convincing shape

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