Download Module 7 Developmental task - Number

Module 7: Developing the personal maths skills of teachers and
assessors
Development task
Number
Academic context
The solar system
Eight planets rotate the Sun in our solar system – our Earth being the third planet from the
Sun. The planets vary in size – the smallest, Mercury, has a radius of only 2 439 km,
whereas the largest planet, Jupiter, has a radius more than 70 000 km at its equator.
1. Using the data sheet and the formulae below, calculate the volume and mass of each
planet and compare these to the Earth. State any assumptions you’ve made in your
calculations. Comment on your findings.
2. The speed of light is approximately 300 000 km/s. Use this to compare the shortest time
it takes for light to travel from each of the planets to an observatory on Earth. State any
assumptions that you’ve made.
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Data sheet
Mean Distance from Sun (AU*)
Sidereal period of orbit (years)
Mean Orbital Velocity (km/sec)
Orbital Eccentricity
Inclination to ecliptic (degrees)
Equatorial Radius (km)
Polar Radius (km)
Mean density (g/cm³)
Body rotation period (hours)
Tilt of equator to orbit (degrees)
Number of observed satellites
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
0.3871
0.24
47.89
0.206
7.00
2439
same
5.43
1408
2
0
0.7233
0.62
35.04
0.007
3.40
6052
same
5.25
5832
177.3
0
1
1
29.79
0.017
0
6378
6357
5.52
23.93
23.45
1
1.524
1.88
24.14
0.093
1.85
3397
3380
3.95
24.62
25.19
2
5.203
11.86
13.06
0.048
1.30
71490
66854
1.33
9.92
3.12
>28
9.539
29.46
9.64
0.056
2.49
60268
54360
0.69
10.66
26.73
30
19.19
84.01
6.81
0.046
0.77
25559
24973
1.29
17.24
97.86
24
30.06
164.79
5.43
0.010
1.77
25269
24340
1.64
16.11
29.6
8
(*AU = Astronomical Units. One AU = 1.5 x 108 km)
Useful formulae:
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