Download Create a Model of the Sun, Earth, Moon and Jupiter

6th grade November 2015
Challenge: “In 2003, U.S. astronomer Mike Brown discovered a new object beyond Pluto.
Brown thought he had discovered a new planet because the object, which he named Eris
(EER-is), is larger than Pluto. The discovery of Eris caused other astronomers to talk
about what makes a planet a "planet." The International Astronomical Union is the group
of astronomers responsible for naming objects in space. The IAU decided that Pluto and
objects like it were not really planets at all because of their size and location in the solar
system. The IAU decided that Pluto and objects like it should now be called dwarf planets.
Astronomers continue to study the solar system. They use high-power, ground-based
telescopes to discover new objects in space. Ideas about the universe and Earth's place in it
keep changing as scientists get new information. This can cause scientists to rethink what
they know and how they classify objects. Scientists are still considering what makes an
object a planet as they learn more about the most distant objects in the solar system.”
Should Pluto be reclassified as a planet or an astronomical oddball? Make a
decision, explain your reasoning and provide at least 2 supporting
mathematical and/or scientific evidences. The best explanation will be
submitted to the International Astronomical Union for consideration.
In Science Class
• Infer: How are planets classified?
• What are the characteristics of each planet?
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Distance from sun
Period Rotation
Period of revolution
Diameter
Temperature
Gravity
Composition
Analyzing Data and Planet Classification
• Group planets by their characteristics.
• Determine which planets share similar characteristics.
• Create a classification system for the planets and
justify your grouping system.
• How could you extend your classification system to
other members of our solar system such as moons,
comets, asteroids, and meteoroids?
Set
• Set: How far away are the planets from the sun?
What is the size of planets in our solar system?
• View http://youtu.be/HEheh1BH34Q
Standards
6.RP.A.3 Use ratio and rate reasoning to
solve real-world and mathematical
problems, e.g., by reasoning about tables
of equivalent ratios, tape diagrams,
double number line diagrams, or
equations.
6.RP.A.3a Make tables of equivalent
ratios relating quantities with wholenumber measurements, find missing
values in the tables, and plot the pairs of
values on the coordinate plane. Use tables
to compare ratios.
6.NS.B.3 Fluently add, subtract, multiply,
and divide multi-digit decimals using the
standard algorithm for each operation.
• SPI 0607.6.1 Use data to draw
conclusions about the major
components of the universe.
• SPI 0607.6.2 Explain how the
relative distance of objects
from the earth affects how
they appear.
Sun vs. Earth Size
Comparing the Sizes of
the Sun, Earth, Moon and Jupiter
The sun’s diameter is 1,392,000 km. If the sun’s
diameter of 1,392,000 km is represented by a 55 cm
or 22 inches poster board, determine the diameter of
the following bodies by finding the equivalent ratio:
• Moon is 3,475 km= _______________
• Earth is 12,756 km= ______________
• Jupiter is 142,984 km= ________________
Create a Model of the Sun, Earth,
Moon and Jupiter
• Use one full boaster board as your sun’s diameter.
• Draw a line and label inside of this poster board each of
the diameters calculated for the Earth, Moon and Jupiter.
• Explain:
– How many times bigger is the sun in comparison to:
Earth?
Moon?
Jupiter?
Comparing Earth size to other
Universe Components
Earth as a
Frame of Reference
Earth Size as a Frame of Reference
Complete the following table by finding the missing data:
Rank the universal components from
smallest to largest using their equivalent
ratio to Earth.
-Which components are smaller than Earth?
-Which components are larger than Earth?
Meter Stick Distance Scale
Inches vs. Centimeters Review
1 meter = ?
Calculate the Distance from the Sun in
Astronomical Units
Steps for Meter Stick Scale:
1. Use the meter stick scale from 0 to 100 centimeters to
place the 8 planets and Pluto.
2. Place the sun at the 0 centimeters or beginning mark
of the meter stick.
3. Pluto is 39.75 AU from the sun. If we round this
distance to the nearest whole number, Pluto is 40 AU
from the sun. Place Pluto at the 100 centimeters mark
or end of the meter stick.
4. Create a distance scale for the reminder planets and
place them on the appropriate place.
Place the 8 Solar Systems Planets using their
equivalent ratio to their distance from the Sun
in Astronomical Units (AU)
SUN
PLUTO
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
How mathematical principles and
equivalent ratios help us understand
the size of the planets, their location
in the Solar System and their
distance from the sun?
Explain using 1-2 examples.