Use this paragraph: In a scale model of the solar system, the distance between Jupiter and Saturn is 17.2 cm, while the distance between Saturn and Uranus is 38.8 cm. The astronomical unit distance between Jupiter and Saturn is 4.3 AU.

What is the astronomical unit distance between Jupiter and Uranus?

(1 point)
Responses

5.4 AU
5.4 AU

1.9 AU
1.9 AU

14 AU
14 AU

9.7 AU

1 answer

To find the astronomical unit distance between Jupiter and Uranus, we first need to establish the relationship between the distances given.

We know:

  • The distance between Jupiter and Saturn is 4.3 AU.
  • The distance between Saturn and Uranus is 38.8 cm, but we don't have a direct astronomical unit distance for that yet.

Explore the scale:

  • Let's assume 1 AU corresponds to a certain number of centimeters in the scale model.
  • We're given that the distance between Jupiter and Saturn is 17.2 cm, so we can calculate 1 AU in the model.

The scale from Jupiter to Saturn in the model translates to: \[ \text{Distance in AU} = \frac{\text{Model distance (cm)}}{\text{Actual distance (AU)}} \] \[ 4.3 \text{ AU} = 17.2 \text{ cm} \] \[ 1 \text{ AU} = \frac{17.2 \text{ cm}}{4.3 \text{ AU}} \] \[ 1 \text{ AU} = 4 \text{ cm/AU} \]

Now, the distance from Saturn to Uranus in AU can be calculated:

  1. First, we convert the distance from Saturn to Uranus to AU using the scale.
    • 38.8 cm would be converted as follows: \[ \text{Distance in AU} = \frac{38.8 \text{ cm}}{4 \text{ cm/AU}} = 9.7 \text{ AU} \]

Now, add the distance from Jupiter to Saturn (4.3 AU) to the distance from Saturn to Uranus (9.7 AU): \[ \text{Distance from Jupiter to Uranus} = 4.3 \text{ AU} + 9.7 \text{ AU} = 14 \text{ AU} \]

Thus, the astronomical unit distance between Jupiter and Uranus is 14 AU.