Basketball, Circle, Smaller Balls

 

Code Number: 8A20.70

Demo Title: Scale of the Earth/Sun/Moon System

Condition: Good

Principle: Relative Sizes

Area of Study: Solar System

Equipment: 

Earth, Sun, (Scale Models), Earth, Moon, (Scale Models), Page of Distances.

Procedure:

Make sure the teacher knows the size and distance relationships.  In scale it should be the 12 inch diameter sun and the 1/8th inch diameter earth at 100 ft. distance apart.  Also in scale the 1 inch diameter earth and the 1/4th inch diameter moon at 30 inches distance apart.

8A.20.70.docx

References:

  • Michael LoPresto, "A Classroom Activity and Laboratory on Astronomical Scale", TPT, Vol. 55, #7, Oct. 2017, p. 442.
  • Paul Hewitt, "Figuring Physics: Distance To Moon and Sun", TPT, Vol. 53, #2, Feb. 2015, p. 118.
  • Lars Broman, "A Model of the Solar System Improved by Means of Pinhole Optics", TPT, Vol. 11, # 8, Nov. 1973, p. 489.
  • Judith Lean, "Living with a Variable Sun", Physics Today, Vol. 58, #6, June 2005, p. 32.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Make a Scale Model of the Planets of the Solar System That Shows the Planets' Distances from the Sun", Super Science Challenges, p. 9.
  • Isaac Asimov, "Worlds in Order", Science, p. 140.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Sun Size", 202 Oozing, Bubbling, Dripping, & Bouncing Experiments, p. 11.
  • R.D. Edge, "1.45: The Size of the Sun", String and Sticky Tape Experiments, p. 2.
  • R. Gardner, "A Hallway Solar System", Make an Interactive Science Museum, p. 165.