MEASURING RELATIVE DISTANCE OF THE PLANETS FROM THE SUN

1. The planets are millions of miles from the Sun. It would be impossible to make a real model of these distances. Instead, you will make a relative scale model. The model will use much smaller distances than in the real Solar System, but the spacing of the planets from the Sun will be the same. For example, Saturn will still be about twice as far from the Sun as Jupiter.

   The table below shows information on how far the planets are from the Sun. Can you figure out what relative scale to use to make your model fit on one or two pages? Write the scale that you want to use in the space below.
    

2. The scale used is ________ cm for every ___________ km.

3. Use two sheets of paper, or the back of this paper to draw your relative scale. The Sun will be at 0. Make a mark where each planet occurs, and label it.