1. If the Earth were the size of a B-B (with a radius of about 0.2 centimeters), the Sun would be:
109 times 0.2 = 21.8 centimeters in diameter.
To find the size of the Milky Way in the same scale, follow these steps:
- Convert the diameter of the Milky Way to centimeters: 6 x 10^17 miles * 160934.4 (conversion factor) = 9.656 x 10^20 centimeters.
- Find the ratio between Earth's and the B-B's diameter: 12,742,000 meters / 0.004 meters = 3,185,500,000.
- Divide the Milky Way's diameter by this ratio: 9.656 x 10^20 centimeters / 3,185,500,000 = 3.03 x 10^11 centimeters, or about 3.03 million kilometers.
2. To build a model of the Solar System on your campus, you'll need to calculate the diameter of each planet and their distances from the Sun. The webpage provided (http://www.solarviews.com/eng/homepage.htm) has the necessary data for planet diameters and interplanetary spacings.
After scaling down the planets' sizes and distances, you'll have the diameter of the planets in millimeters (or centimeters) and the spacing between them in meters. Keep in mind that linear distance scales may differ from size scales for easier visualization.
1. If the Earth were the size of B-B (with a radius of about 0.2 centimete), how big would the Sun be? How big would the Milky Way be?
2. Imagine building a model of the Solar System on your campus. Work out the diameter and spacings of the planets in millimeters and meters respectively.
The Sun's diameter is 109 times bigger than the Earth's.
so 109 times 0.2 = ?
The milky way is
6x10^17 miles in diameter
Try doing the math.
For you last problem try the following site to get you distances (click on the planets):
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/homepage.htm
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