What Kinds of Models Do Scientists Use?

Multiple Choice

1. What fraction tells how the size of Mars compares to Earth?​

• 5/10

• 10/5

• 3/4

• 1

​ What fraction tells how the size of Mars compares to Earth?​

5/10 or 1 /2

​

​​(5 x 1 = 5)

​(5 x 2 =10)

Multiple Choice

2. Which object is about 1/4 the diameter of Neptune?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Uranus

• Earth

​

Which object is about 1/4 the diameter of Neptune?

​

VENUS

(9/36 or 1 /4)

​

​​(9 x 1 = 9)

​(9 x 4 =36)

Multiple Choice

3. Which object is about 1/9 the diameter of Saturn?​

• Venus

• Jupiter

• Earth

• Saturn

​

Which object is about 1/9 the diameter of Saturn?​

​

​

EARTH

(10/90 or 1 /9)

​

​​(10 x 1 = 10)

​(10 x 9 =90)

Open Ended

Details

​Detail #2

​Three-dimensional models have length, width, and height.

​Detail #3

​Computer models are computer programs that act like the real thing.

Open Ended

Tell how making or using each model below could help people.

a model to show where lightning is likely to strike

​Tell how making or using each model below could help people.

a model to show where lightning is likely to strike

​Ans.: It could help people decide where not to stand in a storm.

Open Ended

Tell how making or using each model below could help people.

a model to show water flows during a storm

​Tell how making or using each model below could help people.

a model to show water flows during a storm

​Ans.: It could help people stay away from place that will flood or decide where to build a house.

Open Ended

Tell how making or using each model below could help people.

a model to show how traffic moves in a city

​Tell how making or using each model below could help people.

a model to show how traffic moves in a city

​Ans.: It could help people decide where to place signs and traffic lights.

Open Ended

Tell how making or using each model below could help people.

a model to show equipment for a new playground

​Tell how making or using each model below could help people.

a model to show equipment for a new playground

​Ans.: It could help people decide which pieces of equipment to buy and where to put them.

​If there's a fire in our house, our meeting place is in the backyard by the shed.

​If it's stormy, we meet in the hallway because it doesn't have any windows.

​Sample Answer:

The model shows everyone where to meet so that we all have the same information.

​Sample Answer: