This document contains two models of the solar system - one using different sized balls to represent the planets, and one drawing. It also contains questions about the models and basic facts about how the Earth's tilt and orbit around the sun cause day/night, seasons, and years. The first model uses balls of different sizes like golf balls and exercise balls to represent the sun and planets. Statements are given to indicate whether things in the model are correct or incorrect, like the order and relative distances of planets. The second model is a simple drawing and questions are asked about how it could be improved, such as making the outer planets more distant. The final section contains drawings of the Earth tilting on its axis in

1. A. Mercury
Tuesday
B. Venus
1.
H C. Earth
G F
D. Mars
E E. Jupiter
F. Saturn
D G. Uranus
C
B H. Neptune
A
Sun
Put a T in the blank if the statement describes something that is correct about the
model shown above and an F if the statement something that is incorrect about
the model shown above.
_______a. all the main planets in the Solar System are shown. (Pluto is
considered a dwarf planet, not a main planet)
_______b. the size of the Sun relative to the planets.
_______c. the planets are shown in the correct order
_______d. the relative distance between the planets
_______e. where the asteroid belt is shown
_______f. the planets in their orbits are usually lined up as shown

2. 2. Maria made the model of the Solar System shown below. She used a very
large exercise ball for the Sun and 9 golf balls for the other 9 planets including
Pluto. Before answering the questions write the names of each planet in the
spaces in the box below
A. E.
B. F.
C. G.
D. H.
I.
SUN
A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I.
Planets are not all the same size. Check the
following suggestions that would better show the
comparative size of the planets Do not make a
check beside things that would make this model less
accurate.
_____1. Use a beach ball for E. 5. ______ Use softballs for G and H.
_____2. Use a beach ball for H. 6. ______ Use a basketball for F.
_____3. Use a marble for A. 7. ______ Use a pingpong ball for D.
_____4. Use a soft ball for D. 8. ______ Use a pingpong ball for F.
Wednesday
SUN
Improve this model of the solar system by placing the word “should” or “should
not” in the blank beside each of the following statements
_____a. the planets should/should not be different sizes as shown here.
_____b. the planets should/should not all be lined up in a straight line
coming out from the sun
_____c. Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto should/should not be
spaced much futher apart than shown in this model.
_____d. Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars should/should not be fairly close to
one another compared to the other planets
____e. Uranus and Nepturne should/should not be shown as very far apart.

3. Thursday
The pictures above show the Earth and its axis (the imaginary line running
through the center of the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole). Which
picture shows correct orientation of the Earth in relation to the Sun as it revolves
around the Sun.
a, b.
c,
The tilt of the Earth on its axis causes the Earth to
a, have day and night
b. have seasons
c. have moon phases
d. have 365 days in its year