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HOW BIG IS YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM?
The vastness of our solar system is difficult to imagine. The distance from
the sun to Pluto, the farthest the planet (now known as a dwarf planet), is
5,914,000,000 km. Imagine what size paper you would need to draw a model
to represent such a great distance!
In this investigation, you will construct a scale model of our solar system.
Objective
When you completed the investigation, you should be able to
1. calculate the relative distance of each planet from the sun in order to create a scale model of
our solar system.
Materials
resources
meter stick
compass
scissors
paper
colored pencils
glue
Activity 1: Making a Scale Model of the Solar System
Procedures
1. Predict why models of the solar system displayed in classrooms are usually
inaccurate.
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2. Brainstorm and list ideas and information you need to construct an accurate model of our
solar system.
3. Record the actual distance and diameter of the sun and planets in Chart 1, “Scale Model of
the Solar System,” using resources.
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4. Calculate the scale distance and diameter for the sun and each planet using the scale 1 cm
equals 10,000 km. Record your calculations on Chart 1.
CHART 1
SCALE MODEL OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM
PLANET
ACTUAL
DISTANCE
FROM THE
SUN (km)
SCALE
DISTANCE
FROM THE
SUN (cm)
ACTUAL
DIAMETER
(km)
SCALE
DIAMETER (cm)
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Activity 2: Comparing Planet Size
5. Draw a scale model of each planet using the calculation from Chart 1.
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6. Label your scale model. Note: Some planets will be very small and difficult to draw and
label. Those planets should be glued to an index card and then labeled
7. Cut out and label the planets.
8. Compare the scale model of the sun to the planets you have constructed. Record your
observations.
9. Compare the sizes of the inner and outer planets. Record your observations.
10. Examine the scale model of the sun and Earth. Estimate how many model earths would fit
across the diameter of the model sun.
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Activity 3: Determining a New Scale for Distance
11. Review the distances from the sun recorded on Chart 2, “Distances from the Sun.”
12. Brainstorm with your group why you would have difficulties constructing a model of the
solar system on a 1meter piece of paper using the scale from Chart 1. Justify your answer
using information from this investigation.
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13. Determine a new scale that will allow the model to fit on a 1m piece of paper. Record your
scale.
Scale for Distance from the Sun: 1cm = _____________km
14. Complete Chart 2, “Distances from the Sun,” using your new scale.
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CHART 2
DISTANCES FROM THE SUN
PLANET
ACTUAL
DISTANCE FROM
THE SUN (km)
CALCULATIONS
SCALE DISTANCE
FROM THE SUN
(cm)
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
15. Construct a solar system model of the solar system using the scale distances from Chart 2 on
the 1meter paper.
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Analysis
1. Explain why it is necessary to make a scale model showing the sizes of the planets.
Justify your response with evidence from the investigation.
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2. Describe how the distances separating the inner planets compare to the distances separating
the outer planets. Justify your response with evidence from the investigation.
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3. Explain why models of the solar system displayed in classrooms are inaccurate. Justify your
response with evidence from the investigation.
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