Download A Solar System model You can make this quick and easy model to

A Solar System model
You can make this quick and easy model to show relative sizes and distances of
planets in the Solar System.
The concept of a model needs to be explained to younger children. Scientists use
models when they can’t see something themselves – because they can’t go there
(e.g. inside the Earth or into outer space) or it’s too small etc. We can’t go off
into space (easily) and explore the universe so we use models to try to
understand what it looks like. Also, if you use this model of 2 dimensional circles,
explain to young students that the planets are actually round – like balls and that
this model just shows the sizes compared to one another (e.g. Jupiter is huge
compared to the Earth or the Sun is massive compared to any of the planets).
Use the scale model diameter dimensions below to cut some round cardboard
circles to represent the planets. The Sun (a star and central to our Solar System)
is a problem because it’s so big compared to any of the planets. You could put up
a blanket (about 2x2) or cut a circle of cloth that has a diameter of about 2.2
metres. Note that the actual diameter and distance dimensions are given for
those keen to know what they are.
Planet/object
Earth
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Actual diameter
(km)
12,756
1,392,000
4,880
12,104
6,794
142,984
120,536
51,118
49,532
Distance from the
Sun to planet
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Actual distance
(km)
57,900,000
108,200,000
150,000,000
227,900,000
778,400,000
1,400,000,000
2,870,000,000
4,500,000,000
Scale model diameter
2.0
2.2
0.8
1.8
1.0
22.4
18.8
8.0
7.8
cm
metres
cm
cm
cm
cm
cm
cm
cm
Scale model distance
(cm)
(metres)
(km)
9.1 cm
91 m
0.1 km
17.0 cm
170 m
0.2 km
23.5 cm
235 m
0.2 km
35.7 cm
357 m
0.4 km
122.0 cm
1220 m
1.2 km
219.5 cm
2195 m
2.2 km
450.0 cm
4500 m
4.5 km
705.6 cm
7056 m
7.1 km
To avoid confusion show the scale distances (which are not related to scale size)
separately. Cut pieces of string roughly according to the cm scale model distance
– plus a bit extra for gluing to planet labels. Have children hold a label of a planet
(e.g., Mercury written on a card). Tape (or have someone hold) the other end of
the string for each planet onto a Sun label (the large Sun you made is the wrong
size to use for these distances. it is impossible to do both size and distance – the
planets would be too far away). Talk about the Earth’s distance from the Sun.
Why is it important that we remain at this distance? (this distance results in the
perfect temperature for life to exist – the other planets are too hot or too cold –
there is no life on them).