Download Comparing the Size of the Sun to Earth

6th grade Math and Science Integrated Lesson
Science Standards in Unit 9
SPI 0607.6.1 Use data to draw conclusions about the major components of the universe.
SPI 0607.6.2 Explain how the relative distance of objects from the earth affects how they
appear.
Math Standards in Unit 9:
6.RP.A.3 Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems, e.g.,
by reasoning about tables of equivalent ratios, tape diagrams, double number line
diagrams, or equations.
6.RP.A.3a Make tables of equivalent ratios relating quantities with whole-number
measurements, find missing values in the tables, and plot the pairs of values on the
coordinate plane. Use tables to compare ratios.
6.NS.B.3 Fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit decimals using the standard
algorithm for each operation.
Guiding Questions:
What are the major components of the universe?
What does the data tell us about the components of the universe?
How does the relative distance between the objects in the universe affect the way these
appear from Earth?
When classifying bodies in the solar system, what characteristics are considered? Explain
the importance of these characteristics.
What characteristics define a planet?
Clear Targets:
I can determine equivalent ratios.
I can compare equivalent ratios to find missing values in a table.
I can make tables of equivalent ratios relating quantities with whole-number
measurements.
In Science class:
1. Infer: How are planets classified?
2. What are the characteristics of each planet?
Distance from sun
Period Rotation
Period of revolution
Diameter
Temperature
Gravity
Composition
3. Analyzing Data and Planet Classification:
• Group planets by their characteristics.
• Determine which planets share similar characteristics.
• Create a classification system for the planets and justify your grouping system.
• How could you extend your classification system to other members of our solar
system such as moons, comets, asteroids, and meteoroids?
In Math Class:
Set: How far away are the planets from the sun? What is the size of planets in our solar
system?
View http://youtu.be/HEheh1BH34Q
I. Comparing the Sizes of the Sun, Earth, Moon and Jupiter-2D Size Comparison
The diameter of the Sun is 1,392,000 km, while the equatorial diameter of the Earth is
12,756 km. Compared to the Earth the Sun is HUGE.
1. The sun’s diameter is 1,392,000 km. If the sun’s diameter of 1,392,000 km is represented
by a 55 cm or 22 inches poster board, determine the following calculations (or find the
equivalent ratio):
Moon is 3,475 km= _______________
Earth is 12,756 km= ______________
Jupiter is 142,984 km= ________________
Key:
Sun 1,392,000 is to 55 cm
______________________________
Moon 3,475 is to _______ cm
Moon is 3,475 km= 0.14 cm of poster board
Earth is 12,756 km= 0.50 cm of poster board
Jupiter is 142,984 km= 5.65 cm of poster board
2. Create a model
Use one full poster board as your sun’s diameter. Draw a line and label inside of this poster
board each of the diameters calculated above. Explain:
How many times bigger is the sun in comparison to?
Earth?
____________
Moon?
____________
Jupiter?
____________
II. Comparing Earth size to other Universe Components
When examining universe components and their sizes, scientists use the Earth size as a
frame of reference instead of the sun due to its enormous size. Scientists question how
many times bigger or smaller is a given object in space when compared to Earth size. Using
planet Earth size in diameter, calculate the ratio from Earth to a given object in space. Once
you calculate the ratio, write a statement explaining the relationship between Earth size
and the object in space. (Teacher Note: This will review expressions. Ex sun is 110
times bigger than the Earth or 110x.)
Earth size is 12, 756 km in diameter. Charon is 1,184 in diameter. Calculate the equivalent
ratio of Charon to Earth. EX. 1,184: 12,756: or 1,184 to 12, 756 or 1,184/12,756
Complete the following table by finding the missing data:
Name
Diameter (km)
Equivalent Ratio to
Earth
Earth
12,756
12,756/12,756= 1
Charon
1,184
1,184/12,756= 0.09
Mercury
4,879
Venus
12,104
Mars
0.53
Ceres
0.07
Jupiter
142,984
Saturn
9.45
Uranus
4.01
Neptune
49,528
Pluto
2,390
Combined data from Science Textbook and http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra
Key
Name
Earth
Charon
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Ceres
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Diameter (km)
12,756
1,184
4,879
12,104
6,794
950
142,984
120,536
51,118
49,528
2,390
Equivalent Ratio to
Earth
12,756/12,756= 1
1,184/12,756= 0.09
0.38
0.95
0.53
0.07
11.21
9.45
4.01
3.88
0.19
Rank the universe components from smallest to largest using their equivalent ratio to
Earth.
Universal Component
Ranking based on Equivalent Ratio to
Earth
Ceres
0.07
Charon
0.09
Pluto
0.19
Mercury
0.38
Mars
0.53
Venus
0.95
Earth
1.00
Neptune
3.88
Uranus
4.01
Saturn
9.45
Jupiter
11.21
Which components are smaller than Earth? Ceres and Charon (both are moons) and Pluto
(dwarf planet), Mercury, Mars and Venus.
Which components are larger than Earth? Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter
III. Meter Stick Distance Scale of the Solar System
Another important relationship for scientists is how far planets are from the sun. If the
Solar system were reduced about six trillion times, Pluto on an average will be about one
meter from the sun. On this scale, the sun itself will be about 0.2 millimeters in diameter.
This is about the size of a pin.
The distance between the sun and Earth is approximately 150,000,000 kilometers (150
million km) or one Astronomical Unit (AU). Calculate the distance from the sun in
Astronomical Units for each component:
Planet
Distance from Sun in
Distance from the
Kilometers
Sun in Astronomical
Units
Mercury
57,910,000
Venus
108,200,000
Earth
149,600,000
1.00 AU
Mars
227,940,000
Jupiter
778,330,000
Saturn
1,424,600,000
Uranus
2,873,550,000
Neptune
4,501,000,000
*Pluto
5,945,900,000
Key
Planet
Distance from Sun in
Kilometers
Distance from the
Sun in Astronomical
Units
Mercury
57,910,000
0.39 AU
Venus
108,200,000
0.72 AU
Earth
149,600,000
1.00 AU
Mars
227,940,000
1.52 AU
Jupiter
778,330,000
5.20 AU
Saturn
1,424,600,000
9.52 AU
Uranus
2,873,550,000
19.21 AU
Neptune
4,501,000,000
30.09 AU
*Pluto
5,945,900,000
39.75 AU
Data from http://idahoptv.org/ntti/nttilessons/lessons2000/lau1.html
Steps for Meter Stick Scale:
1. Use the meter stick scale from 0 to 100 centimeters to place the 8 planets and Pluto.
2. Place the sun at the 0 centimeters or beginning mark of the meter stick.
3. Pluto is 39.75 AU from the sun. If we round this distance to the nearest whole
number, Pluto is 40 AU from the sun. Place Pluto at the 100 centimeters mark or end
of the meter stick.
4. Create a distance scale for the reminder planets and place on the appropriate place.
Show your calculations.
Explain how mathematical principles and equivalent ratios help us understand the size of
the planets, their location in the Solar System and their distance from the sun.
Explain using 1-2 examples.
Resources:
A Universal Idea by Jeffery Patterson and Brandy J. Merwin, published in The Science
Teacher on May 2002, pp 22 -26
What is Pluto?
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-is-pluto58.html
The Controversy Over Pluto: Planet or Astronomic Oddball?
http://static.nsta.org/files/ss1501_18.pdf
Planetary Fact Sheet - Ratio to Earth Values
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/planet_table_ratio.html
Ceres and Pluto- Dwarf Planets as a New Way of Thinking about an Old Solar System:
Teacher Guide
https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/301000main_Dwarf_Planets_Guide.pdf
Student Activity
https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/301001main_Dwarf_Planets_Activity.pdf
Comparing the Size of the Sun to Earth
http://www.suntrek.org/sun-as-a-star/sun-and-earth/comparing-size-sun-andearth.shtml
Planetary Distance Data
http://idahoptv.org/ntti/nttilessons/lessons2000/lau1.html