CLASS 6 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Distances and scale models in the Solar System – Fundamentals
How it works
In the Solar System, the distances between celestial bodies are very large. To understand them better, scale models are often used. The mean distance of the Earth from the Sun is about 150 million kilometers (1 astronomical unit, AU). Planets differ greatly in diameter and distance from the Sun. Models help to make these relations clear by greatly reducing sizes and distances, while preserving the respective ratios.
Note
If the same scale is used for all lengths in a model, the ratios of the actual diameters and distances remain the same.
If the same scale is used for all lengths in a model, the ratios of the actual diameters and distances remain the same.
An example
If in a model the Earth is shown as a sphere with 1 cm diameter and the Sun is about 109 times as large in diameter, how large is the Sun in the model?
The Sun would be 109 cm large, because 1 cm * 109 = 109 cm. In the model, the ratio of the diameters remains the same.
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Astronomy. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.