Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to construct a mechanical model of the solar system that demonstrates the movement of planets around the sun.

Materials and Prep

Materials needed: Cardboard, markers, scissors, string, push pins, and a reference guide of the solar system.

Prior knowledge: Understanding of the planets in the solar system and basic knowledge of their orbits.

Activities

• Research and sketch the relative sizes of the planets on cardboard circles.

• Cut out the cardboard circles to represent the planets.

• Attach the planets to string at varying lengths to represent their orbits around the sun.

• Hang the model from a central point and observe how the planets move in their orbits.

Talking Points

• Each planet in our solar system has a unique size and orbit. For example, Jupiter is the largest planet and orbits the sun at a greater distance compared to Mercury, the smallest planet.

• When constructing the model, make sure to accurately represent the relative sizes of the planets. This will help you visualize the scale of our solar system.

• By observing the model in motion, you can understand how the planets move around the sun in elliptical orbits. This motion is due to the gravitational pull of the sun.

• Remember that the solar system is vast and full of wonders. Building this model is a great way to appreciate the beauty and complexity of our cosmic neighborhood.