Relative Size Demonstration
Directions:
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The purpose of the activity is to demonstrate relative size of the planets in the Solar
System
The activity can either be used by bringing in the real objects or something close to its
size or cut out the pictures and have the students use them instead.
Either as a class demonstration or in small groups, take the following steps:
o First, have groups identify which object would represent the Sun and have them
explain on their paper and then discuss
o Second, have students then divide the objects into Inner and Outer planets. Once
again, have students record their answers and explanations on their paper then
discuss.
o After correctly identifying the Inner and Outer Planets, let groups then try to guess
the exact planet representation. Once groups think they are finished, the teacher
can check the responses and redirect.
o Other objects which may be easier to use: Sun – football; Mercury – grain of sand;
Venus – small nut; Earth – pea; Mars – grain of rice; Jupiter – Golf ball; Saturn –
table-tennis ball; Uranus – grape; Neptune – grape (from bbc.co.uk sample lesson)
Measurements from Earth as a Peppercorn
http://www.noao.edu/education/peppercorn/pcmain.html
Sun-any ball, diameter 8.00 inches (bowling ball works well)
Mercury-a pinhead, diameter 0.03 inch (stick in an index card, otherwise it’s hard to see
it)
Venus-a peppercorn, diameter 0.08 inch
Earth-a second peppercorn
Mars-a second pinhead (stick in an index card, otherwise it’s hard to see it)
Jupiter-a chestnut or a pecan, diameter 0.90 inch
Saturn-a hazelnut or an acorn, diameter 0.70 inch
Uranus-a peanut or coffee bean, diameter 0.30 inch
Neptune-a second peanut or coffee bean
Relative Size Demonstration
Bowling Ball
Sun
(not to scale)
Mercury
Pinhead
(not to scale)
Venus
Peppercorn pepper before it
is ground
(not to scale)
Earth
Peppercorn pepper before it
is ground
(not to scale)
Mars
Pinhead
(not to scale)
Relative Size Demonstration
Jupiter
Chestnut
(not to scale)
Saturn
Acorn
(not to scale)
Uranus
Coffee Bean
(not to scale)
Neptune
Coffee Bean
(not to scale)
Relative Size Demonstration
Names ____________________________ Date _______
1. Which object most likely represents the sun? Why? _______________________________
2. Which objects most likely represent the Inner Planets? Why? _______________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. Which objects most likely represent the Outer Planets? Why? _______________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. In the table below identify which object most likely represents which planet and explain.
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Represented Object
Earth as a Peppercorn Demonstration
Explanation
Names ____________________________
1. Which object most likely represents the sun? Why? _______________________________
2. Which objects most likely represent the Inner Planets? Why? _______________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. Which objects most likely represent the Outer Planets? Why? _______________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. In the table below identify which object most likely represents which planet and explain.
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Represented Object
Explanation