Intergalactic Planetary

The Assignment 

We were tasked to create a series of models (5) of the solar system using information given to us in different graphs. I completed these models with my partner over multiple days. 

The Process

We began our project by working on our first model, a rough solar system model. This model was made in under five minutes and had only the labels of the planets. Our second model took ten minutes and was more accurate with labels and semi-realistic planet sizing. Our third model was our most accurate yet, completed with accurate distances from the sun, and appropriate sizing. 

To begin our fourth model, we first had to find phenomena that were caused by another and vice versa. After finding our phenomena and graphing, we determined we could solve the time of orbit by finding a planet's distance from the sun. This equation was T=2.05x10^-10 * d^1.5 where T=time and d=distance. Using this formula we calculated the time it would take for Mercury, Venus, Earth, and a fictional planet to orbit with a maximum error of just 2.5%. Our fifth model had us find eight different phenomena that related to one other and explain what happened when one increased or decreased.

Major Concepts

Model four had the only equation we used for all of our models. The equation was T=2.05x10^-10 * d^1.5 where T=time and d=distance. This was used for finding the time of an orbit for a planet based on its distance from the sun. We found this equation by graphing all planets in the solar system by their distance from the sun and their orbital period (time to orbit the sun). 

Reflection

I did fantastic on this project as I did all models except for model 5B. I did not mind this, I was working with my friend. The two areas I believe I shined were collaboration and problem-solving. As I stated earlier, I created 5 models and during that time I faced challenges requiring me to find workarounds and alternate solutions. I do not believe there was anything I could have improved on in this project.