2014 Amplify Education, Inc. All trademarks and copyrights are the property of Amplify or its licensors.

Planetary Distances
Student Pages
page 1 2014 Amplify Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Student Pages
MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in
solving them.
MP4 Model with mathematics.
MP6 Attend to precision.
Mathematical Practices
Planetary Distances
Solar System and Orbits of the Planets
Enlargement of inner solar system
Mercury
Mars
Saturn
Jupiter
Neptune
Uranus
Sun
Venus
Earth
View of Solar System and Planetary Orbits
In August 2012, Curiosity landed on Mars. Built by NASA, this
exploration vehicle got people interested in space travel again. Now
private companies around the world are developing plans to send
people to Mars.
In our solar system, planets orbit the sun on an elliptical (not quite
circular) path. An elliptical path is shaped like an oval. This means,
as a planet orbits the sun, the distance from the sun to the planet
changes. The distance from Earth to each of the other planets also
changes. This distance depends on the location of both planets in
their orbits.
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page 2 2014 Amplify Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Planetary Distances Student Pages
Because the solar system is huge and the distance from the
sun to each planet changes, it can be useful to create a model.
The planets in Order of Planets from the Sun show a straight
line model.
Task 1 of 2
a. Complete the Average Distance from the Sun table.
Average Distance from the Sun
Planet
Average
Distance from
Sun (km)
Average
Distance from
Earth (km)
Distance from
Earth in Model
Mercury 5.8 10
7
Venus 1.1 10
8
Earth 1.5 10
8
Mars 2.3 10
8
Jupiter 7.8 10
8
Saturn 1.4 10
9
Uranus 2.9 10
9
Neptune 4.5 10
9
How to Make a Scale Model
1. Choose the units for your model. Select a small unit,
like centimeters (cm) or inches (in).
2. Use 1 x 10
a
as the scale, where a equals 7, 8, or 9. The
object is to make the distances much smaller in scale.
Therefore, you need to reduce the scientifc notation
as much as possible.
3. Divide each of the average distances from Earth by the
scale, and write the answer in the table. Keep these
measurements as scientifc notation.
4. Convert the scaled average distances into decimals
and use them to create your model. Be sure to
measure carefully from the sun to each planet.
b. Read How to Make a Scale Model. Then create a scale
model of our solar system that shows the average distance
from Earth to each planet. The table below gives the
average distance from the sun to each planet.
Use any materials available to you to create the model.
Include the scale used to make the model.
Include the average distance from Earth to each planet.
Write this distance in scientifc notation.
Order of Planets from the Sun
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page 3 2014 Amplify Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Planetary Distances Student Pages
The Twist
Presentations
Display your model as part of a gallery walk. One half of the
class will walk around to view the models of other groups. The
other half will explain their work. Then you will switch roles.
As you examine the models of other groups, evaluate each
model for the following:
Did the group work with scientifc notation to develop the
scale for their model?
Is the scale shown clearly on the model? Check two of their
distances to determine if those planets are spaced correctly
based on that scale.
According to the model, how far is Alpha Centauri Bb from
Earth? Check the math.
In October 2012, scientists found a possible Earth-like planet
in a neighboring solar system. This planet, Alpha Centauri
Bb, would be the closest planet to Earth outside of our solar
system, if its existence is verifed. Alpha Centauri Bb is
4 10
13
km from Earth.
Your model, showing the average distances from Earth
to each planet, written in scientifc notation
The scale you used to create your model
The distance from Alpha Centauri Bb to Earth, accord-
ing to your scale
A paragraph explaining how you built your model
To Share
Task 2 of 2 If you were to place Alpha Centauri Bb in your
model using the same scale, how far from your model Earth
would it be?
Planetary Distances Student Pages
page 4 2014 Amplify Education, Inc. All trademarks and copyrights are the property of Amplify or its licensors.
Rubric
Excellent Satisfactory Fair Unsatisfactory
Calculations
Calculations are correct Calculations have only minor errors Calculations have a major error Calculations have two or more major errors
Mathematical Modeling (SMP 4)
Interprets mathematical results in terms
of distance from Earth to other planets
Makes assumptions and approximations
to simplify the scale used for the model
Reects on whether the mathematical
results make sense
Improves the mathematical model to
better serve the purpose
Some interpretation of mathematical
results in context
Uses some assumptions or
approximations to simplify the scale
used for the model
Shows that the mathematical results
make some sense
Reects on the mathematical model but
does not change it
Little interpretation of mathematical
results
Makes no assumptions or
approximations to simplify the scale
used for the model
Little reection on the mathematical
results making sense
Does not evaluate the mathematical
model to better serve the purpose
Does not interpret mathematical results
in terms of distance from Earth to other
planets
Makes no assumptions or
approximations to simplify the scale
used for the model
No reection on mathematical results
making sense
Does not evaluate the mathematical
model to better serve the purpose
Constructing & Communicating an Argument (SMP 3)
Includes everything required in the To
Share section
Builds a logical progression of
statements; justies conclusion
Reasons about data; makes valid
arguments (CC 6-8.SL.4) (SMP 3)
Uses well-produced aids to communicate
precisely, clarify information, emphasize
important points, strengthen arguments,
and add interest (CC 6-8.SL.5) (SMP 6)
Includes almost everything required in the
To Share section
Builds a progression of statements, but
the progression or conclusion may not be
logical
Argument is present but may not be clear
or does not fully t the data
Uses visual/other aids, but they
sometimes distract from or do not add to
the presentation
Only includes a few elements from the To
Share section
Builds a progression of statements, but
neither progression nor conclusion are
logical
Argument is present but may not be clear
and does not fully t the data
Uses sparing visual/other aids that do not
add to the presentation
Does not include parts required in the To
Share section
Does not have an argument or presents in
a way that does not make sense
Does not use visual or any other aids
Working with a Group
Is prepared and ready to work; is well
informed on the project topic; considers
a variety of approaches with the team
(CC 6-12.SL.1.a)
Communicates and manages project
tasks
Does tasks without having to be
reminded and completes tasks on time
Uses feedback from others to improve
work (SMP 3)
Is usually prepared, informed, and ready
to work with the team
Communicates and manages project
tasks but not consistently
Does some project tasks but needs to be
reminded
Completes most tasks on time
Sometimes uses feedback from others to
improve work
Frequently unprepared, uninformed, and
not ready to work with the team
Rarely communicates or manages
project tasks
Always needs to be reminded to do
project tasks
Rarely completes tasks on time
Rarely uses feedback from others to
improve work
Is not prepared, informed, or ready to
work with the team
Does not communicate or manage
project tasks
Does not do project tasks
Does not complete tasks on time
Does not use feedback from others to
improve work
Adapted from Presentation bie.org
Adapted from Collaboration bie.org