Download How do the planets vary in size?

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How do the planets vary in size?
Use a scale of 1 centimeter = 12,800 kilometers to calculate the diameter (in
centimeters) of each scale model. Round off each answer to the nearest tenth
and record in the table below. Earth and Mercury have been done for you.
Planet
Real Diameter (kilometers)
Scale Model Diameter (centimeters)
4,900
0.4
Venus
12,100
0.9
Earth
12,800
1.0
Mars
6,800
0.5
Jupiter
143,000
11.2
Saturn
120,500
9.4
Uranus
51,100
4.0
Neptune
49,500
3.9
Mercury
Answer the questions below.
1. On the chart, place a star by the planets you modeled.
2. Estimate how much clay you think you will need for each model. How close
did you come to the correct amount? How did you check your estimates?
Answers will vary. Students should say that they measured the model’s diameter and compared
it with the scale diameter in the chart to check estimates.
3. Which is the largest planet in the solar system? The smallest?
4. Which model planet is about the same size as Earth? Which of the outer
planets are closest in size to each other?
Answers: Earth and Venus are about the same size. Uranus and Neptune are closest in size to
each other.
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Answer: Jupiter is the largest planet. Mercury is the smallest planet.