Question
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
28.5 cm
28.5 cm
570 cm
570 cm
1.5 cm
1.5 cm
630 cm
The correct answer is 570 cm.
To find the maximum possible distance that can be drawn between Mars and Neptune in the scale model, we need to consider the given information and draw a picture.
In the scale model, Mars is 1.5 AU away from the sun and appears at 30 cm from it, which means 1 AU = 20 cm. Therefore, Mars is (1.5 AU) * (20 cm/AU) = 30 cm away from the sun in the scale model.
Similarly, we know that Neptune is 30 AU away from the sun. Using the same scale of 1 AU = 20 cm, Neptune would appear at (30 AU) * (20 cm/AU) = 600 cm away from the sun in the scale model.
To find the maximum possible distance between Mars and Neptune, we need to consider when they are on the opposite sides of the sun from each other. In this case, the distance between them would be the sum of their distances from the sun.
So, the maximum possible distance that can be drawn between Mars and Neptune in the scale model is 30 cm (Mars's distance from the sun) + 600 cm (Neptune's distance from the sun), which equals 630 cm.
Therefore, the correct answer is 630 cm.