Download Lab_Solar system size scale2

Science 8
Lab: Solar System to Scale
DIRECTIONS SHEET
PURPOSE: The lab activity will illustrate the relative sizes of the planets, and give the students
practice with the concept of scale.
MATERIALS: Construction paper, scissors, glue stick, compass, ruler, pencil, directions sheet.
Solar System Data to Scale
Planet
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Eris
Sun
Diameter (km)
4878
12100
12756
6787
142800
120000
50800
48600
2300
2400
1390000
Scale 1 mm = 1000 km
Scale Diameter
5 mm
1.2 cm
1.3 cm
7 mm
14.3 cm
12.0 cm
5.1 cm
4.9 cm
2.3 mm
2.4 mm
1.39 m
Scale ~Radius
3 mm
6 mm
7 mm
4 mm
7.2 cm
6.0 cm
2.6 cm
2.5 cm
1 mm
1.2 mm
0.7 m
Scale Distance
58 m
108 m
149 m
228 m
778 m
1.4 km
2.9 km
4.5 km
5.9 km
10.1 km
0
A. Scale Sizes
1. After determining the scale radius for each planet, take the compass and spread it across the ruler
so that the amount it is stretched open is equal to the scale radius of the planet. As you measure
each planet using the compass, make a circle with that measurement on a piece of construction
paper to represent the planet. Some planets are too small to use the compass very well.
Here is how Jupiter is done:
Spread compass 14.3 cm
Draw Jupiter on the paper, cut it out , and
write its name on the cut out piece.
2. Finish drawing, labeling, and cutting out the rest of the planets.
3. Arrange the planet cutouts so that they ALL fit on one piece of construction paper. Then glue
them all down. Use a glue stick.
B. Scale Distances
1. Draw a 25 cm line across the map of this area starting from the base of the flag at Pickens Middle
(Junior High).
2. Starting from PMS, use the scale to show where each of the planets would be located.
Label their locations.
3. Tape the map to the bottom of the scale size paper, part A.
Lab Solar System to Scale
version 2.5
6/29/2017
Answer these questions on the BACK OF YOUR CONSTRUCTION PAPER.
Put the number and the answer only on your paper.
1. Which planet was the smallest?
2. Which planet was the largest?
3. How many Earths would it take to equal the diameter of Jupiter?
4. How many Plutos would it take to equal the diameter of Earth?
5. How many Plutos would it take to equal the diameter of Jupiter?
6. How many times larger is Saturn compared to Earth?
7. Which 2 sets of planets are almost the same sizes?
Lab Solar System to Scale
version 2.5
6/29/2017