Procedure for Solar System Scale Activity:
1.
Picture in your mind what you think a scale model of the Solar System will look
like and write a brief description of it. We will see how the model you build
meets your expectations.
2.
Measure the longest distance you can use, no more than 50 meters. Measure
this distance to the nearest meter and record it in Data Table 1. This distance
will represent the distance between the Sun and the furthest planet the model
represents.
3.
To find which planet we can go out to, let the scale diameter of Mercury initially
be 1 mm (we can not reliably measure distances less then 1 mm). At this scale,
1 meter in the hall is equal to 0.0326 AU. Multiply by the longest distance you
can use, for example, if the longest distance is 38 meters, then
38  0.0326  1.24 AU and look at Data Table 2 to find which planets fall within this
range. Write the distance to this furthest planet in Data Table 1.
4.
To calculate the distance from the model sun to each model planet, you need to
calculate a scaling factor. Determine the scaling factor by dividing the distance
from step 2 above by the distance from the Sun to the furthest planet. Find this
distance in Data Table 2. Record the scaling factor in Data Table 1. For
example, if the longest distance usable is 38 meters and the planet chosen is
Neptune, then the scaling factor is 38 meters / 30.1 AU = 1.26 meters per
astronomical unit.
5.
Multiply the scaling factor from step 3 by the actual distance from the Sun to
each of the planets in AU. Use the distance in Data Table 2. Record the
answers in the column labeled "scale distance from Sun".
6.
Measure out a length of paper equal to the scale distance to Mercury from the
Sun. Do not cut the paper, but mark this by writing Mercury at this point. From
that point, continue measuring the same piece of paper out to Venus, and
mark that spot also. Continue doing this for all the planets out to the furthest
planet chosen.
7.
Go out into the hall and lay the paper out and observe the scale model you have
created of the solar system. Use scotch tape to affix the paper to the floor.
Supplies:
Cashier Paper
Marker
Scotch Tape
Scissors
Ruler 50m
Time:
One lecture
DATA TABLE 1
Largest usable
distance (meters)
Distance to furthest
Planet (AU)
Scaling factor
(meters/AU)
DATA TABLE 2
Planet
Distance
from Sun (AU)
Distance to planet
(kilometers)
Scale distance
from Sun to Planet
(meters)
Actual diameter of
Scale diameter of
Planet (kilometers) Planet (millimeters)
Sun (a star)
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Mercury
0.39
58,000,000
4,880
Venus
0.72
108,000,000
12,100
Earth
1.00
150,000,000
12,800
Mars
1.52
228,000,000
6,800
Jupiter
5.20
778,000,000
142,000
Saturn
9.54
1,430,000,000
120,000
Uranus
19.2
2,870,000,000
51,800
Neptune
30.1
4,500,000,000
49,500
Pluto
39.4
5,900,000,000
2,300
1,391,980
Question and Conclusions:
1.
Describe what your model looks like. Is this different from what you pictured in
your mind in step 1? If so, how?
2.
The nearest star to Earth is Alpha Centauri, 274,332 AU away. Where would
this star be placed in your scale model of Solar System distances.
3.
What are some of the advantages and disadvantage that you see in using a
scale model? Be specific and use examples from this activity.
4.
Think about making a scale model of the Milky Way Galaxy, give an outline of
how this might be done, and describe any challenges you would face.
5.
Fill in Data Table 3 below with the time it takes light to reach each of the planets.
DATA TABLE 3
The speed of light is equal to 299,792.458 kilometers per second
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Important Vocabulary to Know:
Astronomical Unit:
A unit of measurement equal to 149.6 million kilometers, the
mean distance from the center of the earth to the center of
the sun.
Distance:
The actual path length covered by a body. It is a scalar
quantity.
Meter:
The fundamental unit of length in the metric system, equal to
100 centimeters or approximately 39.37 inches.
Metric System:
The decimal measuring system based on the meter, liter,
and gram as units of length, capacity, and weight or mass.
Scale Model:
A physical model, a representation or copy of an object that
is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object, which
seeks to maintain the relative proportions (the scale factor)
of the physical size of the original object.
Scaling Factor:
The ratio of a distance measured on a scale drawing to the
corresponding distance measured on the actual object.
Solar System:
The collection of planets and their moons in orbit around a
sun, together with smaller bodies such as asteroids,
meteoroids, and comets.
More Online Resources:
Scale Calculator:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/solar_system/
Scale Calculator:
http://thinkzone.wlonk.com/Space/SolarSystemModel.htm
Solar System to Scale:
http://www.scalesolarsystem.66ghz.com/
Solar System Size to Scale:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Solar_System_size_to_scale.svg
Solar System Distance to Scale: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Ob0xR0Ut8