Modeling the Solar System
You may have seen models and illustrations that compare the sizes of the planets, but do not
accurately show their relative distances from the sun. In this lab, you will compare the sizes of
the planets to their distances from the sun.
Problem: How can you model both the relative sizes and distances of the planets in the solar
system?
Materials:



Calculator
Large sheet of unlined paper
Meter stick
Procedure:
1. To model the relative sizes of the planets’ orbits, convert the distances of the planets
from the sun in astronomical units to kilometers. Record these distances in scientific
notation:
Mercury 58,000,000km __________________________________________
Venus 110, 000,000km __________________________________________
Earth 150, 000,000km ___________________________________________
Mars 220, 000,000km ___________________________________________
Jupiter 780, 000,000km __________________________________________
Saturn 1,400, 000,000km _________________________________________
Uranus 2,870, 000,000km ________________________________________
Neptune 4,500, 000,000km _______________________________________
2. Use the meter stick to draw a straight line down the entire length of the large sheet of
unlined paper. Measure and record the length of this line in centimeters.
____________________________________________________________________
3. Label one end of the line Sun and the other end Pluto.
4. To calculate the distance scale of your model, divide Pluto’s average distance from the
sun, (5.91 x 109km) by the length of the line in centimeters.
Distance Scale: 1cm = _____________________________ km (Record this scale on
your model)
5. To determine Neptune’s position, divide Neptune’s average distance from the sun by the
scale of your model. Mark Neptune’s position on the line in your model.
6. Repeat Step 5 for each of the remaining planets in the solar system.
7. Jupiter’s equatorial diameter is 88,375km. Using the same scale how large would Jupiter
be on your model? ________________________________________________________
8. To place the planets on the model, we will need to change scales. Draw Jupiter, 3
centimeters in diameter, in the location you marked on your model.
9. To determine the planet’s scale sizes, divide the actual diameter of Jupiter, 88,735km, by
its model size. Size Scale: 1cm = _____________________________ km (Record
this scale on your model)
10. To determine Neptune’s size, divide Neptune’s equatorial diameter, 30,540km, by the
scale size. Draw Neptune on the position you marked on your model.
11. Repeat step 10 for each of the remaining planets in the solar system. Each planet’s
equatorial diameter is:
Mercury: 4,880km
Saturn: 74,977km
Venus: 12,100km
Uranus: 32,000km
Earth: 12,756km
Pluto: 1,430km
Mars: 6,800km
12. Indicate where the Asteroid Belt is located on your model.
13. To determine the size of the solar system using the planet size scale. Divide the actual
distance from Pluto to the Sun by the scale of the planet models. Convert the result from
centimeters to meters.)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Analyze and Conclude:
1. Using Models: How big would a model of the solar system be using the planet size
scale? Explain your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. Analyze Data: What difficulty would you have including the relative sizes of the
planets on the paper model you made in Steps 1 through 6?
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. Drawing Conclusions: Explain why it is difficult to model the sizes and distances of the
planets at the same scale.
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________