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Questions and Answers
What is the scale factor for models of cities mentioned in the text?
What is the scale factor for models of cities mentioned in the text?
If a scale model of the solar system preserves the relative lengths, widths, and heights of the modeled objects, it is using a:
If a scale model of the solar system preserves the relative lengths, widths, and heights of the modeled objects, it is using a:
What percentage of the mass of the entire solar system does the sun hold?
What percentage of the mass of the entire solar system does the sun hold?
If the sun's mass is unimaginably large, and it would take 109 Earths, stacked on top of each other, to reach its height, then the height of the sun is approximately how many times the height of the Earth?
If the sun's mass is unimaginably large, and it would take 109 Earths, stacked on top of each other, to reach its height, then the height of the sun is approximately how many times the height of the Earth?
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The distance between the sun and the Earth is more than how many times the height of the sun?
The distance between the sun and the Earth is more than how many times the height of the sun?
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In a scale model of the solar system, what is preserved for the planets, moons, and the sun, including the distances between them?
In a scale model of the solar system, what is preserved for the planets, moons, and the sun, including the distances between them?
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A scale model of a city might have buildings that are only a few inches tall, and cars that are the size of ants, but the relative size of a car compared to a building would be accurately preserved. This is an example of:
A scale model of a city might have buildings that are only a few inches tall, and cars that are the size of ants, but the relative size of a car compared to a building would be accurately preserved. This is an example of:
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What is the scale factor used to build the scale model of the solar system?
What is the scale factor used to build the scale model of the solar system?
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If a billiard ball represents Mercury in the model, what object would represent Venus?
If a billiard ball represents Mercury in the model, what object would represent Venus?
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At the 1:90,000,000 scale, how far away is Neptune from the sun in the model?
At the 1:90,000,000 scale, how far away is Neptune from the sun in the model?
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If the sun is represented by a house in the model, what common object is used to represent Earth?
If the sun is represented by a house in the model, what common object is used to represent Earth?
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What would be the diameter of the scaled-down Jupiter in the model at the 1:90,000,000 scale?
What would be the diameter of the scaled-down Jupiter in the model at the 1:90,000,000 scale?
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If a different scale of 1 inch equals 100,000 miles is used, what object would represent Mercury?
If a different scale of 1 inch equals 100,000 miles is used, what object would represent Mercury?
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What is one limitation mentioned about the scaled model of the solar system?
What is one limitation mentioned about the scaled model of the solar system?
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What is the purpose of building a scaled model of the solar system?
What is the purpose of building a scaled model of the solar system?
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Study Notes
Building a Scale Model of the Solar System
- The solar system is scaled down so that the sun is the size of a house, with a scale factor of roughly 1:90,000,000.
- The scaled-down diameters of the planets are: Mercury - 2 inches, Venus - 5 inches, Earth - 5.5 inches, Mars - 3 inches, Jupiter - 61 inches, Saturn - 50 inches, Uranus - 20 inches, Neptune - 19.5 inches.
- The distance between the scaled planets at this model is immense, with Earth being roughly 1 mile from the sun and Neptune being about 30 miles away.
- Building a realistic scale model of the solar system is not feasible due to the vast differences in size and distance between the planets.
- To build a scaled model at 1:90,000,000, one would need objects such as a billiard ball for Mercury, a shot put for Venus, a cereal bowl for Earth, and a round kitchen table for Jupiter.
- A different scale of 1 inch equals 100,000 miles would yield different diameters for the planets, with the sun being the size of a volleyball and Mercury being the size of a grain of sea salt.
- Detailed steps are provided for building a scale model of the solar system in one's backyard, using common objects to represent the planets.
- The model's distances are not to scale, and the shapes of the objects are not perfect representations of the planets.
- The scaled model is a way to appreciate the vast differences in size within the solar system, with the house representing the sun and scaled objects representing the planets.
- The model can help in understanding the relative sizes and distances of the planets, despite not being a perfect representation.
- The scaled model provides a tangible way to comprehend the immense scale of the solar system, with everyday objects used to represent the planets.
- Building a scaled model of the solar system allows for a hands-on and visual appreciation of the vast differences in size and distance within our celestial neighborhood.
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Description
Scale Model Solar System Quiz: Test your knowledge on building a scaled model of the solar system. Explore the vast differences in size and distance between the planets and learn how to represent them using everyday objects. Understand the challenges of creating an accurate representation and appreciate the immense scale of our celestial neighborhood.
