Uranus and Neptune are the farthest planets from the Sun ... - Skwirk

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Uranus and Neptune are the farthest planets from the Sun. But how far is that, exactly? This activity will give you an idea of how far away the planets are from the.
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Analysing distance: solar system scale model Outcomes: ESS2.6: Identifies some of the features of the solar system and describes



interactions that affect conditions on Earth.

INVS2.7: Conducts investigations by observing, questioning, predicting, testing, collecting, recording and analysing data, and drawing conclusions.



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Uranus and Neptune are the farthest planets from the Sun. But how far is that, exactly? This activity will give you an idea of how far away the planets are from the Sun and each other. For this investigation, you will need: eight friends, nine pieces of paper, a large space (such as a football field) and a metre stick or a measuring wheel. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

On each piece of paper, write the names of the major objects in the solar system (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune). Have one person stand at one end of the field. Have them hold the piece of paper that says ‘Sun’. Using the measuring wheel or metre stick, measure out 39 centimetres from the Sun. Have a person stand at that mark holding the piece of paper that says ‘Mercury’. Measure out 72 centimetres from the Sun. Have a person stand at that mark holding the piece of paper that says ‘Venus’. Measure out 1 metre from the Sun. Have a person stand at that mark holding the piece of paper that says ‘Earth’. Measure out 1 metre and 52 centimetres from the Sun. Have a person stand at that mark holding the piece of paper that says ‘Mars’. Measure out 5 metres and 20 centimetres from the Sun. Have a person stand at that mark holding the piece of paper that says ‘Jupiter’. Measure out 9 metres and 53 centimetres from the Sun. Have a person stand at that mark holding the piece of paper that says ‘Saturn’. Measure out 19 metres and 19 centimetres from the Sun. Have a person stand at that mark holding the piece of paper that says ‘Uranus’. Measure out 30 metres and 6 centimetres from the sun. Have a person stand at that mark holding the piece of paper that says ‘Neptune’.

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Which planets are the closest together – the inner planets or the outer planets? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Uranus wasn’t discovered until 1781 and Neptune wasn’t discovered until 1846. The other six planets have been known since ancient times. Why do you think this is? ______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Judging by their closeness to the Sun, would you expect Uranus and Neptune to be hot or cold? Explain your answer. ___________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________ _________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ It takes light from the Sun eight minutes to reach Earth. Estimate how long it would take light to reach Uranus and Neptune. _______________________________ ___________________________________________ _____________________________________ ____________________________________ __________________________________ ___________________________________ ________________________________________