2006-07-12 13:45:16 · 11 answers · asked by marvin m 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Ah, scale model solar systems and golf, two of my favorite subjects. According to USGA rules, a golf ball must be not smaller than 1.68 inches in diameter. Using the calculator in the second source below, I find that if the Sun is 184 inches (15 feet 4 inches) in diameter, the Earth is 1.6844 inches in diameter and 1,647 feet 8.16 inches away. I assume that is the mean distance, since Earth's orbit is elliptical.
2006-07-12 14:45:59 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I found this from a Professor at UCLA. I did the conversion of his scientific notation based upon the diameter of the sun being 110 times that of the Earth. hope this helps.
Complete a scale model of the solar system, that includes the Sun and planets appropriately sized and spaced for the sizes and distances involved in our solar system. Be careful, for if you make the earth the size of a golf ball (about two inches in diamater), the Sun will have to be over ~16 diameter in size and located approximately three-quarters of a mile away.
2006-07-12 14:01:36 · answer #2 · answered by nairb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sun will be a 4.12-meter diameter sphere about 443 meters away.
Reason: If a golf ball is 1.5 inches in diameter, and Earth is 8000 miles in diameter, then Earth is 337,920,000 times wider than the golf ball is. So all your distances should be divided by that same number.
The real radius of the sun is 6.96E+8 meters, meaning that the diameter is 1.392E+9 meters. So the model sun should be 4.12 meters in diameter.
The real distance between the Earth and the sun is, on the average, about 1.496E+11 meters. So, in the model, the distance between Earth and the sun should be 443 meters.
2006-07-12 13:55:56 · answer #3 · answered by David S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The parameters:
Regulation size of a golf ball = ~1.7".
Diameter of Earth: 7926 miles
Diameter of Sun: 870,000 miles
Ergo, the answer is that the sun would be 9 feet 2" diameter and it would be 554 yards away (give or take a few units either way).
P.S. burntbob...the sun is 110 times the diameter of the Earth, where did you get 35???
2006-07-12 14:05:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if you live close to Washington, DC you'll find real model of the solar system by the Air space museum. but size of the earth is about 3-5 mm. and whole model takes about 3 blocks on national mall.
2006-07-12 14:23:19 · answer #5 · answered by Rustam K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if earth is a golf ball, the sun would probably be the size of the real earth.
2006-07-12 15:04:21 · answer #6 · answered by Rajan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the sun is the size of the earth and it is 2 feet away.
2006-07-12 13:49:15 · answer #7 · answered by Poncho Rio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the sun is lik 35 times larger then the earth so like a basket ball would work
2006-07-12 13:52:29 · answer #8 · answered by burnt bob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://devhed.com/solar-system/ has a nice visual display of the info you are asking for. You can also just move the decimal point and use inches.
http://www.rense.com/general72/size.htm also has an interesting display.
If you are interested in astronomy, try http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
You will find a large number of amateur astronomers who are glad to answer questions and talk about what they are observing. We also have an outstanding group of photographers who enjoy helping others take pictures of the moon.
Chuck
2006-07-12 15:46:53 · answer #9 · answered by chucktaylor3us 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
8 Light miniutes that is the distance between sun and earth.
Earth dia = 8000 miles. Do the math
2006-07-12 13:52:12 · answer #10 · answered by Knowsitall 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋