Practical Exercise 3: SCALES OF PLANET DISTANCES IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
The purpose of this activity is to strengthen the knowledge of the astronomical unit. The task is to find out from suitable sources (textbooks, tables, the internet) the mean distances of the planets from the Sun and create a model in the selected scale. For execution outdoors, in the vicinity of the school, it is possible to choose a scale of 1 au = 1 metre, for execution in the classroom a scale of 1 au = 10 cm. Both options are in the table:
| Planet | Distance from the Sun in au | Distance (1 au = 1 metre) |
Distance (1 au = 10 cm) |
| Mercury | |||
| Venus | |||
| The Earth | |||
| Mars | |||
| Jupiter | |||
| Saturn | |||
| Uranus | |||
| Neptune |
Second grade pupils should have no problems with units of length and measuring with a ruler, metre and calliper, as well as using a calculator. After repeating the necessary knowledge, it is appropriate to let pupils work in groups at their own pace and with their own method, which leads to strengthening of reading literacy and ability to work independently according to the assignment.