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Activity Sheet #1: Scale Model of the Solar System
This activity will illustrate the enormous size of the solar system and the relative small sizes of each planet.
You will work as a group to determine the optimal scale factor that will allow both size and distance to be
represented using the same scale. Then using this scale you will create a paper cutout of each planet and
place it at the correct distance from the Sun using the hallways, school grounds and community.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Working as a class determine the optimum scale factor
Complete the table below using the scale factor to determine the diameter and distance for our model
Using craft paper, scissors, tape, rulers, etc, create a paper model and ID card for the Sun and each
planet. (2.54 cm = 1 inch 30.5 cm = 1 foot)
Layout the model solar system starting with the Sun located near the school office. On the ID card give
directions to the next planet. Work the model around through the hallways, around each floor, across
town, etc to reach the total length needed.
Radius, km
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn,
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
695,000
2,440
6,052
6,378
3,397
71,492
60,268
25,599
24,766
1,137
Surface
Gravity
Earth=1
Escape
velocity,
km/sec
.378
.905
1.000
.379
2.529
1.066
0.903
1.096
0.069
4.25
10.36
11.18
5.02
59.56
35.49
21.30
23.50
1.22
Distance
from Sun,
1000 km
57,910
108,200
149,600
227,940
778,330
1,427,400
2,870,990
4,504,300
5,913,520
Sidreal days on
axis, days
24.6
5806
-243
0.99
1.03
0.41
0.45
-0.72
0.67
-6.39
Period of
Rotation about
the Sun, days
87.97
224.70
365.26
686.98
4332.71
10759.50
30685.00
60190.00
90800
Scale
Radius,
Distance from Sun,
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn,
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Assignment:
1. Calculate your weight on Mars
2. Given the speed of light is 3x108 m/s, how long does it take light to reach Pluto from
the Sun?
3. Why does the rotation rate in days for some planets negative in sign?
David Myton
Page 1
6/30/2017