TOILET PAPER SOLAR SYSTEM

It is very difficult to image the distances between the planets

in the solar system. You will be making a toilet paper model
of the solar system.
Estimate the number of sheets of toilet paper which are needed to
represent these distances.

Planet Distance from Sun km Sheets of toilet paper

Mercury 57,909,175
Venus 108,208,930
Earth 149,597,890
Mars 227,936,640
Jupiter 778,412,020
Saturn 1,426,752,400
Uranus 2,870,972,200
Neptune 4,498,252,905

1. What scale is this model?

2. Did this model help you realise the distance between planets and the Sun?
Explain your answer.

3. What problems did you have with this model and how can they be fixed?
 CONSTRUCT YOUR TOILET PAPER SOLAR SYSTEM

What do I need?
- 2 rolls of toilet paper DON’T FORGET
- Cards for planet names TO WATCH OUT
- Balls to represent planets OF OTHERS.
CONSIDER
YOUR SPACE.

Method:
1. Collect all the equipment.
2. Use the table and measurement
one planet at a time, counting the
toilet paper squares.
3. Lay the toilet paper flat on the ground.
4. Place name tag and ball at the end of the toilet paper.

Questions:
1. Which planet is the warmest?

2. Which planet is the coldest?

Extension:
- Estimate how many hops or jumps it would take to make it to
each planet from the sun.
- Record your answers.
- Now test your estimation.
- Record your answers.