Universe Cycle - Solar System (3)
 Lab 

PROBLEM: How do the inner planets orbit the Sun?

PREDICTION: 

MATERIALS: brads, construction paper, compass or circle templates, scissors

Directions:
  1. Make circles with the following dimensions.
         Mercury orbit - 5 cm
         Venus orbit - 10 cm
         Earth orbit - 17 cm
         Mars orbit - 22 cm
     
  2. Push a brad through a piece of paper, so the sharp end is sticking up. Put the Mars orbit circle on top of it, so that the brad pokes through the center of the circle. Stack The Earth circle on top of Mars the same way, then Venus, then Mercury. Draw a picture of each planet on the edge of its orbit. Use the information your teacher provided.
     
  3. Make the planets revolve by moving the circles. Use the chart below to find the correct direction. Have your teacher check your movements.
 

ROTATES

REVOLVES

Mercury

59 days (clockwise)

88 days (counterclockwise)

Venus

242 days (counter)

225 days (counterclockwise)

Earth

24 hours (clockwise)

365 days (counterclockwise)

Mars

24.5 hours (clockwise)

687 days (counterclockwise)
  1. Answer the questions below "YES" or "NO".

Mercury revolved faster than the Earth.

  

Venus revolves faster than Earth, slower than Mercury

  

Mars rotates slower than Earth

  

CONCLUSION: Describe the orbits of the terrestrial planets around the Sun.

   [Dictionary]   
[Back to Universe Cycle Grid]   [Back to Solar System (3)]