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Objective:
To illustrate scale and distance
(ratios and proportions) as it relates to the Earth,
Moon, and other celestial bodies.
Materials:
- 6 oz boxes of modeling clay in different
colors
- heavy string marked in 10 cm increments
- straight pins with small round heads
Description:
This activity is simple but an
accurate illustration of scale and distance using the
ratio of the Earth’s size to the size of the Moon by
dividing the day into 51 equal parts, and then using
one part to represent the Moon and the other 50 parts
remolded to represent the Earth, an illustration of
true scale and proportion Is created (volume ratio to
the Moon is 1:50).
The concept of scale and distance
is further illustrated by wrapping the metered string
around the circumference of the earth 9.5 times and
then placing the model of the Moon this distance from
the Earth.
Preparation:
You will need two 6 oz boxes of
clay (the same color) and a straight pin for each
team. You will also need a piece of string at least 3
m long and calibrated in 10 cm increments.
Procedure:
Group the students into teams of 4-5
students each. Have the teams do the following:
1. Make 51 balls of day that are
approximately the same size
2. Take 50 of the balls and remold
them into one large ball. This is the model of the
Earth.
3. The remaining ball is a model of
the Moon. The two models are at the same scale in
relation to one another.
4. Place the model of the earth on
the end of a long table. Estimate how far apart the
models of the Earth and the Moon should be at this
scale and place the Moon at this distance. Measure
the distance between the models and record it.
5. Wrap the string around the Earth
model 9.5 times and mark the string at this point.
Stretch the string from the Earth and place the Moon
at the other end of the string. This is where the
Moon should be at this scale. Measure the distance
and record it.
6. Have students place a straight pin
at the distance where the shuttle orbits the Earth.
At this scale, the pin should be stuck all the way
into the Earth with the head of the pin representing
the distance of the shuffle orbit above earth (365
km).
Discussion:
1. What is the distance between the
Earth and the Moon?
2. Why is it so hard to estimate how
far away the Moon is looking at it in the sky at
night?
3. Using the same scale, how many
meters would the Sun be from your model of the earth?
4. How big would you have to make the
Sun at this scale?
Credits:
This activity is adapted from a
workshop given by Dr. Paul Lee of Middle Tennessee State
University, Astronomy in the Elementary Classroom.
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