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 \(=3,474 \mathrm{~km}\) ) would fit side-by-side across the diameter of Earth (diameter \(=12,756 \mathrm{~km}\) )? b. Given that the Moon's orbital diameter is \(768,798 \mathrm{~km}\), 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 \(1,390,000 \mathrm{~km} ?\) d. Approximately how many Suns would fit side-by-side between Earth and the Sun, a distance of about \(150,000,000 \mathrm{~km} ?\)

Short answer

a) 3.67 Moons, b) 60.28 Earths, c) 108.98 Earths, d) 107.91 Suns.

Step-by-step solution

Calculate Moons across Earth

To determine how many Moons can fit side-by-side across Earth's diameter, we divide Earth's diameter by the Moon's diameter: \[\frac{12,756 \text{ km}}{3,474 \text{ km}} \approx 3.67\]. Therefore, approximately 3.67 Moons would fit side-by-side across Earth's diameter.

Calculate Earths between Earth and the Moon

To find how many Earths would fit between Earth and the Moon, we divide the Moon's orbital diameter by Earth's diameter: \[\frac{768,798 \text{ km}}{12,756 \text{ km}} \approx 60.28\]. Thus, about 60.28 Earths can fit side-by-side between Earth and the Moon.

Calculate Earths across the Sun

Determining how many Earths fit side-by-side across the Sun involves dividing the Sun's diameter by Earth's diameter: \[\frac{1,390,000 \text{ km}}{12,756 \text{ km}} \approx 108.98\]. Therefore, approximately 108.98 Earths can fit across the diameter of the Sun.

Calculate Suns between Earth and the Sun

For Suns fitting side-by-side between Earth and the Sun, divide the distance from Earth to the Sun by the Sun's diameter: \[\frac{150,000,000 \text{ km}}{1,390,000 \text{ km}} \approx 107.91\]. Hence, approximately 107.91 Suns would fit between Earth and the Sun distance.

Key concepts

Earth diameter comparison

Have you ever wondered how many Moons could fit across Earth? It's a fascinating way to grasp the size difference between these celestial bodies. The Earth's diameter is approximately 12,756 kilometers, while the Moon's diameter is about 3,474 kilometers. When we compare these dimensions, we find that Earth can host about 3.67 Moons lined up side-by-side across its width.

• This comparison helps us visualize how significantly larger Earth is compared to its natural satellite, the Moon.
• It puts into perspective the scale of our planet even against something as prominent as the Moon in the night sky.

Such comparisons are fundamental in astronomy to help understand the vast scales and sizes involved in our solar system.

Moon and Earth distance

The average distance from Earth to the Moon is a crucial piece of astronomical knowledge. The Moon's orbital path around Earth is nearly circular, with an average orbital diameter of about 768,798 kilometers. If we use Earth's diameter (12,756 kilometers) as the standard measurement, we can calculate how many Earths could fit between Earth and the Moon.
This number comes out to approximately 60.28 Earths occupying that space.

• This huge number highlights the impressive distance between our planet and its only natural satellite.
• It also underscores why humans see the Moon as a smaller object—it is much farther away than our blue planet's diameter might suggest.

Visualizing this space can help us appreciate the vastness even within the relatively small distances in our solar system.

Sun diameter comparison

Let’s take a look at how many Earths fit across the Sun. The Sun, our life-giving star, has an enormous diameter of approximately 1,390,000 kilometers. Comparing this with Earth’s diameter of 12,756 kilometers, we can fit approximately 108.98 Earths across the Sun's face.

• This comparison gives a sense of the Sun's vast size relative to Earth, highlighting its massive presence at the center of our solar system.
• It is also a useful reminder of the Sun's immense gravitational pull and the energy it radiates to sustain life on Earth.

By understanding these relative sizes, students can gain a better appreciation of the Sun's central importance in the solar system.

Distance from Earth to the Sun

The Sun and Earth are separated by an average distance of about 150,000,000 kilometers. To comprehend this massive number, we can think about how many Suns would line up across this distance. With the Sun's diameter being about 1,390,000 kilometers, it turns out nearly 107.91 Suns could fit in this space.

• This visualization emphasizes not only the Sun's large size but also the vast emptiness of space that separates Earth from the Sun.
• It also explains why despite being such a vast distance away, the Sun dominates our sky and climate.

Understanding these scales helps translate technical astronomical data into more relatable concepts, giving us a better sense of our solar system's layout.