Senior High School

General Physics 1
Module 11:
Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion
and Periodic Motion

AIRs - LM
LU_General Physics 1_Module 11
STEM – GENERAL PHYSICS 1
Module 11: Kepler’s Third Law of Planetary Motion Versus Newton’s Law of Gravitation
and Periodic Motion
Second Edition, 2021

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Region I

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LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

 Senior High School

General Physics 1
Module 11:
Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion
and Periodic Motion

LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear
learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities,
questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you
to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you
step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in

each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this
module or if you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for
better understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to
answer the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided
for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are
also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on
how they can best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on
any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing
each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in

answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher
or facilitator.

Thank you.

LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

 Target

This module will tell you the story of how man gradually began to understand the
shape of the Earth, its motions and its place in the solar system. In addition, in
this module you will learn on how to describe the periodic motion of bodies like
simple harmonic motion.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. relate Kepler’s third law of planetary motion to Newton’s law of
gravitation and centripetal acceleration (STEM_GP12G-IIc22).
2. relate the amplitude, frequency, period, displacement, velocity, and
acceleration of oscillating systems (STEM_GP12PMIIc24).
3. recognize the necessary conditions for an object to undergo simple
harmonic motion (STEM_GP12PMIIc25); and
4. calculate the period and the frequency of spring mass, simple
pendulum, and physical pendulum (STEM_GP12PMIIc27).

1 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

 Jumpstart

Jump in. Do the activity to get a better grasp of the Kepler’s

Laws of Motion.

Activity 1: Research Time!

Direction: Make a report of not less than 100 words. Use a separate sheet of paper
for your answer.

Investigate how Kepler was forced to finally realize that the orbits of the
planets were not the circles demanded by Aristotle and assumed implicity by
Copernicus, but were instead the “flattened circles” that geometers call ellipses.
Why is it important that the orbits of the planets are elliptical?

Lesson 1: Newton’s Laws and Kepler’s Laws

A space vehicle, when not under power, is governed by the laws which
determine the motions of stars, planets, and comets. Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
used inductive reasoning to formulate laws to fit the astronomical observations and
calculations given him by his patron, Tycho Brahe. Newton, in his Principia
Mathematica (1687), showed that the kind of planetary motion described by
Kepler’s laws can be deduced from the universal law of gravitation.
Kepler’s careful analysis of Tycho Brahe’s data regarding the positions and
periods of the planets led him to deduce and formulate his three laws of planetary
motion. The three laws can be stated as follows:
1) The law of orbits states that the planets move in elliptical orbits with the
sun at one of the foci of the ellipse.

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 Figure 1. Elliptical orbit of a planet

In figure 1, an ellipse is shown. According to the first law of planetary motion

by Kepler, the planets are moving in elliptical orbits. The elliptical orbit has two
foci. The sun is found in one of the two foci. The sum of the distances of any point
in the ellipse to the two foci is constant. As the two foci come closer to one another,
the semi-major axis and the semi minor axis become almost equal to one another,
so the orbit becomes a circle. The distance of the closest approach is called
perihelion, while the distance of the farthest approach is called aphelion.

2) The law of areas states that a straight line drawn from the sun to the planet
sweeps equal areas at equal intervals of time.

Figure 2. Diagram of Kepler’s second law

Shown in Figure 2 is an illustration that will help you understand Kepler’s
second law of planetary motion better. The elliptical path of a planet has been

3 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

subdivided into segments covered at equal time intervals. It means that the time it
takes from point A to point B is the same as the time it takes for the planet to travel
from point C to point D. According to the law of areas, the shaded area MAB is
equal to the shaded area of MCD.

3) The law of periods states that the squares of the periods of the planets are
proportional to the cubes of their average distances from the sun. The third
law of planetary motion by Kepler can be written in equation form as

T2 ∞ r3 where T is the period of the planet which is the

time it takes for the planet to make one complete
revolution around the sun and r is the average or
mean distance of the planet from the sun.

Relationship of Kepler’s laws to Newton’s Laws

 Since the planets move on ellipses (1st law of Kepler), they are continually
accelerating. Therefore, a force is acting continuously on the planets.
 Because the planet-sun line sweeps out equal areas in equal times (2nd law
of Kepler), it is possible to show that the force must be directed toward the
sun from the planet.
 From Kepler’s 1st law, the orbit is an ellipse with the sun at the focus
whereas from Newton’s laws, it can be shown that this means that the
magnitude of the force must vary as one over the square of the distance
between the planet and the sun.
 Kepler’s 3rd law and Newton’s 3rd law imply that the force must be
proportional to the product of the masses for the planet and the sun.

Conclusion

Thus, Kepler’s laws and Newton’s laws taken together imply that the force
that holds the planets in their orbits by continuously changing the planet’s velocity
so that it follows an elliptical path; is directed toward the sun from the planet;
proportional to the product of masses for the sun and planet; and inversely
proportional to the square of the planet-sun separation. This is precisely the form
of the gravitational force, with the universal gravitational constant (G) as the
constant of proportionality. Thus, Newton’s laws of motion, with a gravitational
force used in the 2nd law, imply Kepler’s laws, and the planets obey the same laws
of motion as objects on the surface of the earth.

4 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

 Lesson 2: Periodic Motion

Simple Harmonic Motion

Objects that move back and forth over the same path such as a swinging
pendulum, a metal weight bobbing up and down, and a vibrating guitar spring
exhibit periodic motion. One type of periodic motion is simple harmonic motion.
Simple harmonic motion is an oscillatory motion experienced by an object
displaced by a force from an equilibrium position.

Simple harmonic motion, just like any other motion, can be described in
terms of displacement, velocity, and acceleration. A body whose acceleration is
proportional to its displacement from a certain equilibrium position and opposite to
its displacement is said to move in simple harmonic motion. A body moving in SHM
has its displacement from the equilibrium position continuously changing. The
maximum displacement attained by the body on either side of the equilibrium is its
amplitude. The total number of vibrations per unit time is called frequency of the
motion. On the other hand, the time for one complete vibration is called period of
motion.

Equations for Simple Harmonic Motion

a) Period of the spring (T)

b) Maximum acceleration (amax)

c) Acceleration from the equilibrium position (a)

Sample problem
A 100-g body is attached at the end of a hanging spring with a spring
constant of 2,000 dynes/cm. It is displaced 10 cm from its equilibrium position
and then released.
(a) calculate the period (T),
(b) find the maximum acceleration of the body, and
(c) find the acceleration of the body when it is 5.0 cm from the
equilibrium position.

5 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

Solution:

Given:
m = 100g
k = 2000 dynes/cm
A = 10 cm X = 5.0 cm
a) T = 2π √𝑚/𝑘
100𝑔
= 2π √
2000𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑒𝑠/𝑐𝑚
T = 1.40 s

−4𝜋2 𝐴 −4𝜋2 (10 𝑐𝑚)

b) amax = 𝑇2
=
(1.40𝑠)2
amax = -200.3 cm/s2

−4𝜋2 𝑋 −4𝜋2 (5.0 𝑐𝑚)

c) a = 𝑇2
=
(1.40𝑠)2
a = -100 cm/s2

Simple Pendulum (SP)

A simple pendulum consists of a bob of relatively large mass hanging on a
string with negligible mass. The string is normally in a vertical position. The bob
hangs along a vertical line and is in equilibrium under the action of two forces, its
weight and the tension in the string.

Equation in solving SP

Sample Problem

A string of a pendulum has a length of 1.0 m and has a period of 2.0 s. Find
the value of g at a point of the pendulum. If the same pendulum is brought to
another place where the value of g is 9.85 m/s, what is the period of the pendulum
at that place?

Given: L = 1.0 m
T = 2.0 s

Required: (a) value of g at a point

(b) T of the pendulum at a point where g is equal to 9.85 m/s 2

6 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

Solution:
4𝜋2 𝐿
derive the general equation to get: g =
𝑇2

−4𝜋2 1.0 𝑚
=
( 2.0 𝑠)2

g = 9.87 s

𝐿
T = 2π√
𝑔

1.0𝑚
T = 2π√
9.85𝑚/𝑠^2

T = 2.001 s

Physical Pendulum (PP)

A physical pendulum refers to an object which oscillates back and forth, in

contrast to the rather idealized simple pendulum where all the mass is
concentrated in a single point (usually the mass hanging on the end of the
massless rope). One example of a physical pendulum is a baseball bat swinging
back and forth. Any object which is acted upon by a restoring torque will move in
angular harmonic motion when given an angular displacement. A physical
pendulum can illustrate this effect.
When a disk is displaced in such a way that there is a restoring torque, we
have a torsion balance. The restoring torque tends to bring it back to its
equilibrium position. The body is said to move with angular harmonic motion. The
body is free to rotate about an axis perpendicular to its own plane.

Equation in solving PP

Sample Problem

A body is pivoted so that its center of gravity is 1.0 cm from the axis of
rotation. The body’s radius of gyration is 60 cm. The body acts like a physical
pendulum. Find the period of vibration of the body.

7 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

Given: c.g of the body = 1.0 from the axis of rotation
radius of gyration = 60 cm

Required: period T of the body

Solution: Get first the moment of inertia of the body I

I = m(0.60 m)2

Calculate the period T using the formula then substitute the

given values.

(𝑚 0.60 𝑚)2
T = 2π√ 𝑚
𝑚 (9.8 )(1.0 𝑚)
𝑠2

T = 1.2 s

Explore

Accomplish the activities below. This would help you

strengthen your skills and basic concepts you have learned
in this lesson.

Activity 1: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE it is incorrect.

1. Any object which is acted upon by a restoring torque will move in simple
harmonic motion.
2. A body is said to be moving in a simple harmonic motion if the acceleration is
proportional to its displacement from a certain equilibrium position and
opposite to its displacement.
3. Kepler’s 2nd law and Newton’s 3rd law imply that the force must be proportional
to the product of the masses of the planet and the sun.
4. Since the planets move on ellipses (1st law of Kepler), they are continually
accelerating. Therefore, a force is acting continuously on the planets.
5. Newton’s laws of motion, with a gravitational force used in the 2nd law, imply
Kepler’s laws, and the planets obey the same laws of motion as objects on the
surface of the earth.

8 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

Activity 2:

Using a graphic organizer, explain the relationship of Kepler’s law and

Newton’s law.

Rubric:
5 points - appropriateness of the organizer
5 points - content and relevance
5 points - neatness and clarity of concept

Deepen

Direction: Solve the following problems systematically. Use another sheet of paper
for your solution.

Problem Sets:

1) A 70-g body is attached at the end of a hanging spring with a spring

constant of 3,500 dynes/cm. It is displaced 15 cm from its equilibrium
position and then released.
(a) calculate the period (T),
(b) find the maximum acceleration of the body,
(c) find the acceleration of the body when it is 22 cm from the
equilibrium position.

2) A string of a pendulum has a length of 1.2 m and has a period of

2.4 s.
(a) find the value of g at a point of the pendulum,
(b) if the same pendulum is brought to another place where the
value of g is 9.8 m/s2, what is the period of the pendulum at
that place?

3) A body is pivoted so that its center of gravity is 2.5 m from the axis of
rotation. The body’s radius of gyration is 28 cm. The body acts like a
physical pendulum. Find the period of vibration of the body.

9 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

 Gauge

Directions: Read carefully each item. Write only the letter of the best
answer. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answers.

1. What law states that a straight line drawn from the sun to the planet sweeps
equal areas at equal intervals of time? law of ___
A. areas B. motion C. orbits D. periods
2. What law states that the planets move in elliptical orbits with the sun at one of
the foci of the ellipse? law of _____
A. areas B. motion C. orbits D. periods
3. What law states that the squares of the periods of the planets are proportional to
the cubes of their average distances from the sun? law of ____
A. areas B. motion C. orbits D. periods
4. What phenomenon is observed when an object moves repeatedly at a given
amount of time?
A. circular motion B. periodic motion
C. rectilinear motion D. translational motion
5. What type of oscillatory motion is experienced by an object displaced by a force
from an equilibrium position?
A. circular motion B. periodic motion
C. simple harmonic motion D. translational motion

For numbers 6-10, complete the table. Write minus wrong (5 points)

Planet Mean distance, R Period, T (Earth r3 / T2

from the Sun (au) years)
Mercury 0.39 0.24
Venus 0.72 0.62
Earth 1 1
Mars 1.52 1.88
Jupiter 5.2 11.9
Saturn 9.56 29.4
Uranus 19.22 84
Neptune 30.11 165

For numbers 11-13, refer to the following problem below.

A 105-g body is attached at the end of a hanging spring with a spring

constant of 1,300 dynes/cm. It is displaced 25 cm from its equilibrium
position and then released.

11. What is the period of the hanging spring?

A.1.6 s B. 1.8 s C.2.0 s D. 2.2s
12. What is the maximum acceleration of the spring?
A.-300.6 cm/s2 B. 300.6 cm/s2 C.-304.6 cm/s2 D.304.6 cm/s2

10 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

13. What is the acceleration of the spring if its position is 7.0 cm from the
equilibrium positions?
A.-85.3 cm/s2 B. 85.2 cm/s2 C.-90.5 cm/s2 D. 90.5 cm/s2
14. A string of a pendulum has a length of 2.5 m and has a period of 2.8 s. What is
the value of g at a point of the pendulum?
A.11. 2 s B. 12.6 s C. 35.2 s D. 38.4 s
15. A body is pivoted so that its center of gravity is 2.5 m from the axis of rotation.
The body’s radius of gyration is 20 cm. The body acts like a physical
pendulum. What is the period of vibration of the body?
A.0.01S B. 0.1s C. 0.11 s D. 1.0 s

11 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

Answer KeyDiscover

12 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

References
Books:

Abistado, Joanna M. and Aquino, Marites D. 2012. Science Links-Physics.

Manila. Rex Book Store, Inc.

Caintic, Helen E. 2017. General Physics 1. Quezon City. C and E Publishing,

Inc.

David, Oliver M. et al. 2012. Discover Science: Physics. Makati. Diwa

Learning Systems, Inc.

Nolasco, Fernando, Ma. Duran. 2010. Integrative Physics. Makati City.

Salesiana Books by Don Bosco Press, Inc.

Osabel, Marco C. 2010. Conceptual Science and Beyond-Physics Laboratory

Manual. Quezon City. Brilliant Creations Publishing, Inc.

13 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11

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14 LU_General Physics 1_Module 11