Suppose a student develops a scale model of the planets. Which two planets should be the closest in diameter on the model?
On a scale model of the planets, the two closest planets in terms of diameter would be Earth and Venus.
The diameter of Earth is approximately 12,742 kilometers, while the diameter of Venus is approximately 12,104 kilometers. These values are relatively close, making Earth and Venus the best options to be the closest in diameter on a scale model.
To determine the two planets that should be the closest in diameter on a scale model, we need to consider the actual sizes of the planets and choose two that are relatively similar in size.
The diameter of the planets in our solar system, from largest to smallest, are as follows:
1. Jupiter: Diameter = 139,820 kilometers
2. Saturn: Diameter = 116,460 kilometers
3. Uranus: Diameter = 50,724 kilometers
4. Neptune: Diameter = 49,244 kilometers
5. Earth: Diameter = 12,742 kilometers
6. Venus: Diameter = 12,104 kilometers
7. Mars: Diameter = 6,779 kilometers
8. Mercury: Diameter = 4,879 kilometers
9. Moon (Earth's moon): Diameter = 3,474 kilometers
10. Pluto (dwarf planet): Diameter = 2,377 kilometers
To choose the two planets with the closest diameters, we can compare the sizes of the planets and select two that have similar diameters. Based on the list above, it can be seen that Earth and Venus have the closest diameters, with a difference of only about 638 kilometers.
Therefore, on the scale model, Earth and Venus should be the closest in diameter.