Download I. Comparing the Sizes of the Sun, Earth, Moon and Jupiter

6th grade Math and Science Integrated Lesson- Student Worksheet
I. Comparing the Sizes of the Sun, Earth, Moon and Jupiter-2D Size Comparison
The diameter of the Sun is 1,392,000 km, while the equatorial diameter of the Earth is
12,756 km. Compared to the Earth the Sun is HUGE.
1. 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 following calculations (or find the
equivalent ratio):
Moon is 3,475 km= _______________
Earth is 12,756 km= ______________
Jupiter is 142,984 km= ________________
2. Create a model
Use one full poster board as your sun’s diameter. Draw a line and label inside of this poster
board each of the diameters calculated above. Explain:
How many times bigger is the sun in comparison to?
Earth?
____________
Moon?
____________
Jupiter?
____________
II. Comparing Earth size to other Universe Components
When examining universe components and their sizes, scientists use the Earth size as a
frame of reference instead of the sun due to its enormous size. Scientists question how
many times bigger or smaller is a given object in space when compared to Earth size. Using
planet Earth size in diameter, calculate the ratio from Earth to a given object in space. Once
you calculate the ratio, write a statement explaining the relationship between Earth size
and the object in space. (Teacher Note: This will review expressions. Ex sun is 110
times bigger than the Earth or 110x.)
Earth size is 12, 756 km in diameter. Charon is 1,184 in diameter. Calculate the equivalent
ratio of Charon to Earth. EX. 1,184: 12,756: or 1,184 to 12, 756 or 1,184/12,756
1. Complete the following table by finding the missing data:
Name
Diameter (km)
Earth
Charon
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Ceres
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
12,756
1,184
4,879
12,104
Equivalent Ratio to
Earth
12,756/12,756= 1
1,184/12,756= 0.09
0.53
0.07
142,984
9.45
4.01
49,528
2,390
2. Rank the universe components from smallest to largest using their equivalent ratio to
Earth.
3. Which components are smaller than Earth?
4. Which components are larger than Earth?
III. Solar System Meter Stick Distance Scale
Another important relationship for scientists is how far planets are from the sun. If the
Solar system were reduced about six trillion times, Pluto on an average will be about one
meter from the sun. On this scale, the sun itself will be about 0.2 millimeters in diameter.
This is about the size of a pin.
1. The distance between the sun and Earth is approximately 150,000,000 kilometers (150
million km) or one Astronomical Unit (AU). Calculate the distance from the sun in
Astronomical Units for each component:
Planet
Distance from Sun in
Distance from the
Kilometers
Sun in Astronomical
Units
Mercury
57,910,000
Venus
108,200,000
Earth
149,600,000
1.00 AU
Mars
227,940,000
Jupiter
778,330,000
Saturn
1,424,600,000
Uranus
2,873,550,000
Neptune
4,501,000,000
*Pluto
5,945,900,000
2. Steps for Meter Stick Scale:
a. Use the meter stick scale from 0 to 100 centimeters to place the 8 planets and Pluto.
b. Place the sun at the 0 centimeters or beginning mark of the meter stick.
c. 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.
d. Create a distance scale for the reminder planets and place on the appropriate place.
Show your calculations.
3. Explain 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.