Learning Exercise

Honey, I Shrunk the Solar System!
~ A Scale Model of Our Solar System ~


Introduction:
It is difficult to get an idea of the relative sizes of the sun and planets in
our solar system. In this activity you will calculate and draw a scale model
that will show the correct relative sizes of the sun and planets.

Purpose: To become familiar with the relative sizes of the sun and planets in
our solar system.

Materials:
1.Adding machine paper (9+cm thick) cut into 1.5 m long strips - ask a local
grocery store.
2.Compass
3.Meter stick
4.Colored pencils
5.Calculator

Procedure:
1.Measure and cut a 1.5 meter piece of adding machine paper.
2.Using a scale of 1cm = 10,000 km, calculate the diameter of each planet and
fill in the table. To find the scaled diameter divide the actual diameter by
10,000 and round to the nearest tenth.
3.Calculate the radius by dividing the scaled diameter by 2. Enter the radius
in the table.
4.Draw the sun first. Because it is so large you will only make two short lines
across the paper as many centimeters apart at the scaled diameter. Label the
sun at both ends of the paper.
5.For each planet, set your compass to the radius and draw a circle on the
adding machine paper. Make sure you draw the planet within the diameter of the
sun. Label each planet. Some planets are so large that only part of the circle
will fit on the paper. Make all lines and labels dark with a colored pencil or
marker.
6.Color the sun and each planet.

Data Table:

Name Diameter(km) /Scale Diameter (cm) / Scale Radius (cm)
Sun 1,390,000
Mercury 4,880
Venus 12,104
Earth 12,756
Mars 6,794
Jupiter 142,984
Saturn 120,536
Uranus 51,118
Neptune 49,532
Pluto 2,274

Conclusion:

1.Name the four largest planets.

2.Name the five smaller planets.

3.About how many earth diameters would fit across Jupiter?

4.About how many earth diameters would fit across the sun?

5.Were you surprised by any of the relative sizes of the planets? Explain why
or why not.