Scaling the Natural World Using Dimensional Analysis
Stephen Kass
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Give FeedbackBackground for Solar System Distances Activity
It is difficult to comprehend the tremendous area of space. When measuring the distance between planets, numbers are so large that sometimes students are unable to compare them. The purpose of this worksheet is to have students comprehend the great distances between the planets through using familiar means of transportation for their space travel. Students may choose to take a bicycle trip to the moon, and because the bicycle is a familiar vehicle, they will be able to relate to the time and distance involved in making the trip. The teacher should point out that all years are calculated on a 24 hour day. Thus, riding a bicycle to the moon would take 3 years of peddling 24 hours a day, or converting to an 8 hour day would make the figure three times as great, or 9 years.