Data Analysis: Calculating Scale

Date Analysis:
Calculating Scale

By Lacy Barnett

Multiple Choice

Why do scientists use scale models?

• To observe things at a different size that are too large or too small to observe in real life

• To make scientific information more confusing for students

• Because real objects in science are never too large or too small to study directly

• So they can avoid doing real experiments or collecting data

​What is an astronomical unit (AU)?

An astronomical unit (AU) is a unit of distance used to measure space within our solar system.

Definition:
1 Astronomical Unit (1 AU) is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun, which is about 150 million kilometers (93 million miles).

Purpose:
Astronomical units make it easier to describe large distances between objects in space. Instead of saying “579 million kilometers,” we can say “3.87 AU.”

Examples:

• Earth is 1 AU from the Sun.

• Mars is about 1.5 AU from the Sun.

• Jupiter is about 5.2 AU from the Sun.

So, an AU helps astronomers compare distances in the solar system using a simple, standard measurement.

Math Response

Venus is 0.72 AU from the sun. What distance is Venus from the sun in Enrique’s scale model?

Type answer here

Correct Answer: 72

Deg^°

Rad

​Venus is 0.72 AU from the sun. What distance is Venus from the sun in Enrique’s scale model?

Math Response

Mars is 1.5 AU from the sun. What distance is Mars from the sun in Enrique’s scale model?

Type answer here

Correct Answer: 150

Deg^°

Rad

​Mars is 1.5 AU from the sun. What distance is Mars from the sun in Enrique’s scale model?