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.
630cm
28.5cm
570cm
1.5cm
The maximum possible distance that can be drawn between Mars and Neptune in the scale model is 570cm.
To find the maximum possible distance that can be drawn 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.
Since Mars is 1.5 AU away from the sun and Neptune is 30 AU away from the sun, when they are on opposite sides, the total distance between them would be the sum of their distances from the sun: 1.5 AU + 30 AU = 31.5 AU.
In the scale model, 1 AU is represented by 20 cm. So, to find the maximum distance in the model, we multiply the distance in AU by the scale factor: 31.5 AU * 20 cm = 630 cm.
Therefore, the maximum possible distance that can be drawn between Mars and Neptune in the scale model is 630 cm.