Use this paragraph: In a scale model of the solar system, the sun is placed at the center and the planets are shown orbiting in circles around it. Mars is 1.5 AU away from the sun and in the model, it appears at 30 cm from it which means that 1 AU = 20 cm. Likewise, Neptune is 30 AU away from the sun.
What is the maximum possible distance that can be drawn between Mars and Neptune in the scale model? Hint: Two planets are as far apart as possible when they are on directly opposite sides of the sun from each other. Draw a picture with the planets as far apart as possible.
(1 point)
Responses
1.5 cm
1.5 cm
570 cm
570 cm
630 cm
630 cm
28.5 cm
To find the maximum possible distance between Mars and Neptune in the scale model, we need to determine the distance between them when they are on directly opposite sides of the sun from each other.
Since 1 AU is represented by 20 cm in the scale model, and Mars is 1.5 AU away from the sun, the distance between Mars and the sun in the scale model would be 1.5 AU x 20 cm/AU = 30 cm.
Likewise, since Neptune is 30 AU away from the sun, the distance between Neptune and the sun in the scale model would be 30 AU x 20 cm/AU = 600 cm.
When Mars and Neptune are on directly opposite sides of the sun, the total distance between them would be the sum of their individual distances from the sun: 30 cm (distance between Mars and the sun) + 600 cm (distance between Neptune and the sun) = 630 cm.
Therefore, the maximum possible distance that can be drawn between Mars and Neptune in the scale model is 630 cm.
To determine the maximum possible distance between Mars and Neptune in the scale model, we need to calculate the distance between them when they are on directly opposite sides of the sun from each other. Since Mars is 1.5 AU away from the sun and Neptune is 30 AU away from the sun, the combined distance between them would be 1.5 AU + 30 AU.
Using the scale ratio provided, where 1 AU = 20 cm, we can convert the AU distance to centimeters:
1.5 AU * 20 cm/AU = 30 cm
30 AU * 20 cm/AU = 600 cm
Therefore, the maximum possible distance that can be drawn between Mars and Neptune in the scale model is 600 cm or 6 meters.