Download Modeling the Solar System

Modeling the Solar System
Science Standard 8-4 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics,
structure, and predictable motions of celestial bodies.
Indicator 8-4.1 Summarize the characteristics and movements of objects in the solar system
(including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteors).
Purpose: To model the solar system and make observations about size, order, and composition.
Outcome: The students will know the order of the planets in the solar system and identify
characteristics of inner and out planets. The students will also be able to
justify claims about the pros and cons of the model.
Vocabulary: inner planets, outer planets, asteroid belt, rocky and gaseous planets
Preparation:
Purchase sports equipment like basketballs, soccer balls, tennis balls, etc. that are
relatively proportional to the planets size.
Lesson:
Have the students look at the various sports equipment available. Have the
diameters of the planets on the board so the students can see them. Choose volunteers to
pick a sports ball that is proportional to mercury and have them stand up in front. Do this
for each planet until you have all of the planets in order. You can proceed to ask
questions:
1. What observations do you notice about the planets?
A. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are relatively small in comparison to Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
2. If you were to create two groups of planets from this model, how would you divide
them?
A. Inner and outer planets. Inner=mercury, venus, earth, mars. Outer
planets=Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
3. What are the characteristics of the inner planets? Outer Planets?
A. Inner planets are smaller rocky planets with no rings. The outer planets are
large, gaseous planets that have rings around them.
4. What separates the two groups of planets?
A. the asteroid belt
5. Is this a good model? Why or why not?
6. What improvements or changes would you make to this model?
This lesson is a great activity to get the students thinking about the pros and cons
about models and how models can be good or bad representations of the real thing. It also
allows the students to make claims and provide evidence to their claims.
Examples of equipment used for each planet:
Mercury
Mars
Venus
Neptun
e
Uranus
Earth
Jupiter
Uranus