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
630 cm
630 cm
1.5 cm
1.5 cm
570 cm
28.5 cm
A human-operated spaceship reaches the moon in 3 days. The moon is about 386,400 km from Earth. Mars, our closest planetary neighbor, is, at its closest, about 140 times farther away from us than the moon if Mars stays in place. Assuming a very simple model of the solar system, about how long would it take that same spaceship to reach Mars?(1 point)
Responses
about 2.5 years
about 2.5 years
about 22.5 years
about 22.5 years
about 1 year
about 1 year
about 7.5 years
about 7.5 years.
What is the main problem with this model if it were going to be used to study the dimensions of the solar system?
(1 point)
Responses
The planets are shown as having different shapes.
The planets are shown as having different shapes.
The planets are represented in different sizes.
The planets are represented in different sizes.
The planets are placed at the same distance from each other.
The planets are placed at the same distance from each other.
The planets are depicted in different colors.
The planets are placed at the same distance from each other.
Why do astronomers use astronomical units (AU) instead of kilometers (km)?(1 point)
Responses
There are no km in outer space, only AU.
There are no km in outer space, only AU.
Large distances are easier to express in AU than in km.
Large distances are easier to express in AU than in km.
AU is used for spacing, while km is used for length.
AU is used for spacing, while km is used for length.
AU is used in astronomy, while km is used in physics.
AU is used in astronomy, while km is used in physics.