Week 4: Scale Model Solar System

 

1.      What did you do in lab today?

In lab we built an accurate scale model of the solar system. Our model included the sun, the four inner planets, and the moon. This helped us contextualize how vast space is and the distance between objects in space. We converted the measurements to millimeters and used this scale to model the solar system.

It is common in schools to use a mobile, but this is not always as accurate. It was cool to get to map out the distance on the floor and create small planets. I have included some pictures of the size of our planets and our model.





2. What was the big question?

The big question that we discussed was what are the sizes and distances between the planets in our solar system?  

2.      What did you do in Thursdays discussion?

These are my notes and what we discussed in class on Thursday:

·       It’s easier to teach students that the sun is fixed.

o   It actually moves, but it might be too confusing for them to understand

·       Question: If the moon is on the Eastern Horizon, where would the sun be? There is a full moon.

o   Answer: Western Horizon (opposite side)

o   Full moons will always be the opposites

·       Question: What was the “big band”?

o   Answer: The creation of time, space, creation. Prior to the big bang, there was no time, atomic structure, creation, etc.

The origin of the Universe: Big Bang

·       13.7 Billion years ago there was nothing and nowhere

·       Subatomic particle inflated to unimaginably huge size in a fraction of a second

·       Expansion not an explosion

·       Time and space were created

Big Bang Alternative Theories

·       Oscillating universe

·       Other theories (i.e. Digital simulation)

Where did the earth come from?

·       The earth did not form from the big bang

·       A star with nuclear fusion started the formation of earth.

·       The earth was created 4.65 billion years ago

·       Dust and debris from a sun that blew up. It left behind particles. The particles started coming together overtime.

Formation of the Earth

·       Plane of ecliptic

o   All planets and asteroid belt in the same plane

4. Read the online textbook chapter 2. 

  • What did you learn?

One thing I learned from the textbook chapter was more information about the big bang and how the sun, earth, and moon were formed. I found it really interesting that our universe is still growing. This is evidence that it was super small before since we have continued to expand. Another piece of evidence that supports the big bang is the radiation that is present. It is predicted that this is from the energy of the big bang.

  • What was most helpful?

Something that was especially helpful to me was learning about the origin of the sun, earth, and moon. This was helpful for me to contextualize the size of these. I was surprised to learn that the sun is the size of an average star. The image of our solar system that shows a model of the sizes of the planets was very helpful for me to see how they compare. Additionally, I had the misconception that the earth was formed in the big bang, so it was helpful to learn that it was not formed in the big bang.

  • What do you need more information on?

Something I need more information on is how the other planets in our solar system were formed. I would also like to know more information about why the planets all have such different characteristics and what causes this.

5. What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have?

I do not have any further questions or comments at this time. 

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