PV Gap

Norman Said:

What is the problem with a solar system model of the atom?

We Answered:

The main thing is that the electron isn;t well behaved like a planet. It can appear anywhere in 3 dimensions in a region around the nucleus. (more like a bee around a hive then a planet around the sun) Plus, the electron is actually fluttering in and out of existance i that region in a very non planet (non-bee) like manner. It can hop out of existance in one place and appear in another. It can behave like a particle or like a wave. Weird stuff.

Willie Said:

How to make a Solar System Model?

We Answered:

I've made one before over the summer. You need:

A base
Styrofoam Balls
Paint
Glitter (Optional)
Sticks or Wire

Paint the balls. Attach them. Add them to the base.

Marvin Said:

How to create an accurate solar system model?

We Answered:

It's proportional problem. The sun will be at one end while Pluto is at the other since Pluto at its furthest is 7.3 million kilometers.

So 9 meters = 7.3 billion km. Or one meter = 810 million km (about).
You just need to figured out the reduction ratio for the rest of the planets and their diameters. For Pluto at 1500 km diameter, it would be tiny - smaller then a period.

Armando Said:

Does anybody have any ideas on how to build a Solar System model?

We Answered:

It would be easy & instructive to cut out circles that are accurately scaled to the sizes of the planet's orbits, and pin them to a board with a tack in the center so that they can turn.

The orbit of Neptune is MUCH bigger than that of Mercury.