Assignment 1: You will create a chart to display the relative sizes of the nine planets in the solar system. Procedure

You will create a chart to display the relative sizes of the nine planets in the solar system.

1. 
   Using reference material on the Internet, look up the diameters of the nine planets and the sun. Record this data in a spreadsheet.
   
2. 
   In a separate column, use formulas to compute the relative sizes of the planets and the sun compared to earth, where earth’s size = 1. Make sure the put the unit of measure for the planets diameter in the Diameter column heading.
   
3. 
   Create a chart where you graph the relative sizes of the planets. Make sure each value is labeled in your chart! Change the colors of the bars on your graph to match that of the planet and sun. Make sure that all of you axis’ are labeled.
   
4. 
   Save chart and spreadsheet to use in next activity.
   

You will compute how much you weigh on other planets based on what you weigh on Earth using Excel.

1. 
   Using reference material on the Internet, look up the surface gravity of the nine different planets and the moon. The values usually found in books are the ratio of surface gravity on a planet to that of the earth. This makes it easy to compute your weight. For example, if the surface gravity of planet x is 2.0 times that of earth and you weigh 110 pounds on earth, then you would weigh 220 pounds on planet x.
   
2. 
   Type in the surface gravity on each planet where earth = 1.
   
3. 
   Using formulas, calculate your weight on the nine planets.
   
4. 
   Graph your data to compare the surface gravity on each of the planets. Make sure you have labels for all axis’
   
5. 
   Save this information to be used in Word next class period.
   

1. 
   Import both graphs and chart into MS Word as a linked object.
   
2. 
   Go to this web site: www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/index.html and calculate how much you weigh on other planets. Make sure your calculations are correct! Read the paragraphs at the bottom and try to make sense of the relationship between the sun, a planet’s size, and a planet’s mass and how much objects weigh there.
   
3. 
   Write a paragraph about the relationship between the sun, a planet’s size, and a planet’s mass and how much objects weigh there. Use your linked spreadsheets and graph as evidence for your conclusion. Make sure your reference them.
   
4. 
   Print out your Word Document and staple it with your spreadsheet (with formulas showing) and graphs.
   
5. 
   Make sure that your name is on it!!