PV Gap

Joshua Said:

How do you make a solar system out of candy?

We Answered:

You are going to have to sacrifice scale on some level.

Either you will have an extremely huge sun, or a miniscule Mercury.

You will also have quite a problem wiht the distance scale...

Here are the scales:

Distances (in AU)
Sun = 0
Mercury = 0.39
Venus = 0.72
Earth = 1.00
Mars = 1.52
Jupiter = 5.20
Saturn = 9.58
Uranus = 19.23
Neptune = 30.04

Sizes (earth idameter)
Me = 0.382
V = 0.949
E = 1.000
Ma = 0.532
J= 11.209
S= 9.449
U = 4.007
N = 3.883

So, you will need candy that will vary in size from 4/10 (in diameter) the size of whatever you use as the earth, to 11x larger.

If you used an M&M for earth, picture putting 11 of them side by side... for the equivalent of Jupiter... and then think about cutting that M&M in half (actually a little less, closer to 1/3) for the size of Mercury.

Harry Said:

Why is the plane of the solar system 90 degrees to the plane of the galaxy?

We Answered:

Actually, the angle is more like 60°. The plane of the ecliptic was determined by the initial rotation of the solar nebula that condensed to form our solar system, which was in turn determined by local gravitational forces. The gravitational force of nearby stars and gas clouds is stronger than any influence from galactic rotation, so the orientation of solar systems is essentially random. You also have to remember that the galaxy was already maybe 7 or 8 billion years old when our solar system formed.

Minnie Said:

Why is it important to teach children about the solar system?

We Answered:

I think it's important so students realize that there is so much more out there than they may be aware of. Astronomy in general really is a fascinating subject. The more students know, the less ignorant they are about the universe we live in. I teach high school physics, and you would be surprised at how many students cannot name the planets that make up our solar system, let alone put them in order. And in my opinion, that's just sad.

Marilyn Said:

How have our ideas about the solar system changed?

We Answered:

The main change was going from Earth centred to Sun centred.

Even our language reflects this, we still talk about the Sun Rising and Setting!

Also from circular orbits to elliptical

Brian Said:

Ideas for a quick science project on the solar system for a 4th grader?

We Answered:

A theory on how water came to this planet from outside our solar system. Their is plenty of data on asteroids and comets containing frozen water, and craters on earth demonstration that the meter and asteroids have collided on earth.

So do a little more research on the these facts.

As far as your model of the solar system, all you need add is the asteroid belt (between venus and jupiter...I think), Hale Bob, or Haley's Comets, and for the big finally, have a meteor heading straight for the planet earth from a random direction. Also note that this happened some 3 billion years ago, so as not to worry your classmates.

Derrick Said:

Would a heliocentric solar system have changed people's beliefs about God back when?

We Answered:

You bet.

Joshua would have yelled, "Earth stop rotating!!!" and the rest of the Hebrews would have said, "Uh wait a minute...hold on there."

I couldn't help myself. LOL