SPACING OUT THE SYSTEM
In order to create a model of the solar system that is accurate in terms of
distance, you use the astronomical unit (AU), which is the average distance of
Earth from the sun, or 150,000,000km. The distance of the Earth from the sun if
then equal to one unit. By creating a ratio for each of the other planets, you can
determine their relative distances. Here is an example using the planet Mercury:
Distance from the sun in millions of kilometers
Mercury
Earth
58
150
Relative Distance
=
N
1
Cross multiply and you find that 150N equals 58. Divide both sides by 150 and
you have the relative distance of Mercury from the sun.
Complete the chart below. Round your final answer to the nearest tenth. Round
the planet’s distances to the nearest million kilometers.
PLANET
Distance in Millions
of Kilometers
÷ 150
= Relative Distance
Rounded to the
Nearest Tenth
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
SUMMER SCIENCE INSTITUTE
[Type text]
Jalpurnia Blalock
Jhanna Levin
Heather VonHagel
Yashica Terry
SPACING OUT THE SYSTEM
Use the relative distances from the previous page to complete the table below for
creating a model solar system for the classroom and playground. Use this
information to construct one or both models. Start at one end of a bulletin board
or playground and label ethe sun. Use the chart below and measure to show the
relative distances. In the classroom, you can also use objests or circles of relative
size. On the playground, have a person hold a sign for each planet and stand the
measured distance apart. Take turns observing from a distance.
Classroom:
Let Earth equal 1 centimeter
Playground: Let Earth equal .5 meter
PLANET
Classroom
Playground
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
SUMMER SCIENCE INSTITUTE
[Type text]
Jalpurnia Blalock
Jhanna Levin
Heather VonHagel
Yashica Terry