Here are the Sun and the 8 Planets in our Solar System: Write the names of the eight planets from smallest diameter to largest.

Diameter Distance of Orbit from(km) the Sun (km)

 Sun 1,392,700 - Mercury 4,880 57,900,000 Venus 12,104 108,000,000 Earth 12,756 150,000,000 Mars 6,794 228,000,000 Jupiter 142,984 778,000,000 Saturn 120,536 1,427,000,000 Uranus 51,118 2,871,000,000 Neptune 49,532 4,497,000,000

To make a model for each planet, divide the actual diameters by 600,000,000 (6 x 108) to get the Diameters of the Models (see the table below). These sizes will be much easier to work with! To do these calculations however, you will need to divide and multiply using scientific notation. See the first example below:

Practice with Scientific Notation

Write out the decimal equivalent (regular form) of the following numbers. Example: 101 = 10

1) 6 x 10-3 2) 7 x 104 3) 900 x 10-2

Convert from decimal form into scientific notation. Example: 1,000 = 103

4) 0.005 5) 60,000 6) 0.0034

Multiplication: multiply the main numbers and add the exponents.

Your answer should be expressed in two parts, as in the model above. The first part should be a number less than 10 (eg: 1.2) and the second part should be a power of 10 (eg: 106). If the first part is a number greater than ten, you will have to convert the first part. In the above example, you would convert your first answer (12 x 105) to the second answer, which has the first part less than ten (1.2 x 106).

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Solar System Models

1. (smallest)

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8. (largest)

14) (3 x 104) x (2 x 103)

15) (5 x 10-5) x (11 x 104)

Division "Move" the bottom (denominator) to the top of the fraction. We do this by writing the negative value of the exponent. Next divide the first part of each number. Finally, add the exponents.

Write your answer as in the model; first convert to a multiplication problem, then solve the problem.

17) (3.6 x 108) / (1.2 x 104)

18) (4 x 103) / (8 x 105)

Example for Jupiter

Divide

1.42 x 10 5 = 0.237 x 10-3 = 2.37 x 10-4 km 6 x 108

Subtract

You will then need to convert from km to cm (remember 1km = 100,000 cm = 1 x 105 cm)

Multiply

2.37 x 10-4 x 1 x 105 = 2.37 x 101 = 23.7 cm

Add

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(Actual)Diameter

DiameterOf the Models

Diameter of the Models

(km) (km) (cm)

 Jupiter 142,000 2.37 x 10-4 23.7

 Saturn 120,000

 Uranus 51,000

 Neptune 49,000

 Earth 13,000

Venus 12,000

 Mars 7000

 Mercury 5000

In your groups, cut out planets meeting these diameter sizes. Use a compass and string to create accurate circles first! Label each planet and include your names as well. Paperclip together and turn in. We will be using these

planets on our solar system walk on Monday.

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