Question

In order to conceptualize the size and scale of Earth and Moon as they relate to the solar system, complete the following: a. Approximately how many Moons (diameter 3475 kilometers [2160 miles]) would fit side-by-side across the diameter of Earth (diameter 12,756 kilometers [7926 miles])? b. Given that the Moon's orbital radius is 384,798 kilometers, approximately how many Earths would fit side-by-side between Earth and the Moon? c. Approximately how many Earths would fit side-by-side across the Sun, whose diameter is about 1,390,000 kilometers? d. Approximately how many Suns would fit side-by-side between Earth and the Sun, a distance of about 150,000,000 kilometers?

Short answer

a. 3.67 Moons; b. 30.17 Earths; c. 109 Earths; d. 107.91 Suns.

Step-by-step solution

Calculate Moons Across Earth

First, determine how many moons (with a diameter of 3475 km) can fit across the Earth's diameter (12756 km). To find this, divide the Earth's diameter by the Moon's diameter: $$\frac{12756}{3475}\approx 3.67$$So, approximately 3.67 Moons would fit side-by-side across the diameter of Earth.

Calculate Earths Between Earth and Moon

Next, calculate how many Earths (with a diameter of 12756 km) would fit side-by-side between Earth and the Moon, which is 384,798 kilometers away. Do this by dividing the Moon's orbital radius by Earth's diameter: $$\frac{384798}{12756}\approx 30.17$$Approximately 30.17 Earths would fit side-by-side between Earth and the Moon.

Calculate Earths Across the Sun

Determine how many Earths (12756 km diameter) would fit across the Sun's diameter (1,390,000 km). This is found by dividing the Sun's diameter by Earth's diameter: $$\frac{1390000}{12756}\approx 109$$Therefore, about 109 Earths would fit side-by-side across the Sun.

Calculate Suns Between Earth and the Sun

Finally, find how many Suns (1,390,000 km diameter) would fit in the space between Earth and the Sun, which is 150,000,000 kilometers. Divide the distance by the Sun's diameter to find this:$$\frac{150000000}{1390000}\approx 107.91$$So, approximately 107.91 Suns would fit side-by-side between Earth and the Sun.

Key concepts

Earth-Moon Scale

The Earth-Moon scale provides a fascinating way to grasp the relative dimensions of our planet and its natural satellite. To visualize how many Moons could fit across the Earth's diameter, we start by examining the size of both. The Earth's diameter measures about 12,756 kilometers, while the Moon's diameter is roughly 3,475 kilometers. When you calculate how many Moons could line up across the Earth's diameter, it is approximately 3.67 Moons.
This calculation shows that even though the Moon appears large in our sky, it’s considerably smaller compared to Earth. Understanding this scale helps us appreciate the size differences between celestial bodies we encounter in our daily lives.

Solar System Measurements

In the vastness of our solar system, measurements help us appreciate the distances and sizes of celestial bodies. One interesting way to comprehend the Earth-Moon distance is by imagining how many Earths can fit in that space.
The distance from Earth to the Moon is approximately 384,798 kilometers. By dividing this distance by the Earth's diameter, we find that about 30.17 Earths could fit side-by-side between the two.
This highlights the surprisingly large gap that exists between our world and its companion in space, far larger than what might be assumed by simply observing the Moon in the sky.

Planetary Dimensions

Planetary dimensions can be mind-boggling. For instance, comparing Earth to the Sun offers a staggering perspective. The Sun's diameter is about 1,390,000 kilometers, much larger than Earth's 12,756 kilometers. To determine how many Earths could stretch across the face of the Sun, we divide the Sun's diameter by Earth's diameter.
The result is approximately 109 Earths.
Contemplating this ratio underscores the immense size difference between our home planet and the star at the center of our solar system, emphasizing how small Earth is compared to the Sun's enormous bulk.

Orbital Distances

Understanding orbital distances in our solar system provides insight into the scales at which celestial bodies exist and interact. The distance between Earth and the Sun is approximately 150,000,000 kilometers. To gauge the scale of this distance, we can think in terms of how many Suns could fit in between.
With the Sun's diameter at 1,390,000 kilometers, you find that about 107.91 Suns could fit side-by-side from Earth to the Sun.
This exercise demonstrates the vast expanses of space that lie between the objects floating in our cosmic neighborhood and gives a sense of the immense distances that characterize our solar system.