Relative Size Demonstration Directions: 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
© Copyright 2024 Paperzz