Solar System Scale: MS-ESS1-3

A student made a model of how the planets orbit the sun. She used a tennis ball to represent the sun. She used ping-pong balls to represent each planet, and painted each one a different color. Then, she placed all the ping-pong balls equal distances apart in a line extending out from the sun. What are two limitations of the student's model?

• She used the same size balls to represent the planets.

• She made planets orbit the sun.

• The planets are not the correct distances from the sun.

• The solar system can't be modeled using actual objects.

Which planet in our solar system is closest to the Sun?

• Earth
• Jupiter
• Mercury
• Saturn

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

How do the sizes of the inner planets (4 closest to the sun) compare to the sizes of the outer planets (4 farthest from the sun)?

• The inner planets are larger.

• The outer planets are smaller.

• There is no size difference between the inner and outer planets.

• The inner planets are smaller.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

This shows

• Size difference between the planets accurately

• Distance between the planets accurately

• Both size and distance accurately

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What planet is eighth in the Solar System?

• Uranus
• Jupiter
• Neptune
• Mars

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Our Solar System_________

• Has 8 planets that are very close together

• Has 8 planets, but is mostly empty space

• Has 9 planets that are very close together

• Has 9 planets, but is mostly empty space

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Why do scientists use scale to study the Solar System?

• The solar system is too large to study without using scale models

• The solar system is too small to study without using scale models

• Scientists don't need to use scale because we have satellites

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Why is making a model of the solar system difficult?

• Don't have the right materials

• The solar system is so big and the objects in it are so small in comparison

• There are too many parts in a model

• Because the science concepts are too difficult

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which planet in the Solar system has the shortest revolutionary period?

• Mercury
• Earth
• Jupiter
• Neptune

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

If you were going to make a scale model of the Solar system what planet should be the second largest in diameter?

• Jupiter

• Saturn

• Earth

• Uranus

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3