Create two different scaled models of the solar system (below, questions 1& 2). the first model brings the diameter of planetary bodies down to something that people can comprehend. the second model will have a different scale than the first and will be used to give you an idea of the distance between planets and the sun.

1) choose a scale (i. e 1: 25; 1: 25,000; apply that scale to the planetary diameter (first in kilometers and then any unit you desire) and pick an object that will best represent the size of the planetary body.

scale used for this chart

object

actual diameter (km)

scaled diameter (km)

representative object

sun

mercury

venus

earth

mars

jupiter

saturn

uranus

neptune

pluto

show 2 examples of your math of the actual diameter to your scaled diameter below:

2) the second one is to be an educational tool that people can walk, drive, boat, swim, canoe, ride, etc. through. your team needs to decide on a scale to use for the distance between the planetary bodies in the solar system. for an example, see some of the links/slides in the chapter 1 powerpoint

scale used for this chart

object

avg. distance to sun (au)

avg. distance to sun (km)

scaled distance to sun ( )

location

sun

mercury

venus

earth

mars

jupiter

saturn

uranus

neptune

pluto

show 2 examples of your math of the average distance in au to km.

3) why were two different scales necessary for the first two parts? another way of asking this would be why couldn’t you use the scale from #1 to do the work for #2. if you’re having trouble figuring this out, do a calculation for #2 mercury and pluto using the scale from #1.

4) many fields of study use objects to scale. pick a field of science, math, or technology that uses scales and describe how and why they are useful (this may be specific or broad but may not be related to this lab’s use of the scale to become familiar with the geography of the solar system).