In this article, we will learn about mass and volume and how they relate to the planets in our solar system. Mass is the amount of stuff inside an object, while volume is the space that object takes up. Let’s explore each planet and see how they compare to Earth in terms of these two important properties.
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and is the smallest in our solar system. Its mass is only 5.5% of Earth’s mass. If you think about volume, you could fit nearly 19 Mercurys inside Earth!
Venus is the second planet from the Sun and is known for being super hot. Its mass is 81.5% of Earth’s mass. In terms of volume, just over one Venus can fit inside Earth.
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the place we call home. To understand its size, let’s compare it to Mars.
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and is known for its red color. Its mass is 11% of Earth’s mass. You could fit about six Mars-sized planets inside Earth by volume.
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and the fifth from the Sun. Its mass is an incredible 31,780 times that of Earth! By volume, you could fit just over 1,300 Earths inside Jupiter.
Saturn, the sixth planet from the Sun, is famous for its beautiful rings. Its mass is 9,500 times greater than Earth’s mass. By volume, you could fit around 764 Earths inside Saturn.
Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and is known as an ice giant. Its mass is about 14.5 times that of Earth. In terms of volume, about 63 Earths could fit inside Uranus.
Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun. Its mass is 17 times that of Earth. You could fit just over 57 Earths inside Neptune by volume.
Learning about the mass and volume of the planets in our solar system helps us see how different they are from each other. From tiny Mercury to giant Jupiter, each planet has its own special features that make our solar system an exciting place to explore!
Planetary Scale Model: Create a simple scale model of the planets using different-sized balls or objects you can find at home. For example, use a marble for Mercury, a tennis ball for Earth, and a basketball for Jupiter. Arrange them in order from the Sun and discuss how their sizes compare. How many marbles would you need to match the size of the basketball?
Mass and Volume Experiment: Fill a small container with water and use it to measure the volume of different objects by seeing how much water they displace. Try using a small toy, a rock, and a sponge. Discuss which object has the most volume and why. Relate this to how many times Earth could fit inside Jupiter or Saturn.
Thought-Provoking Question: Imagine you are an astronaut visiting each planet. How would you feel standing on a planet with much less mass than Earth, like Mars, compared to a giant like Jupiter? Discuss how gravity might feel different on these planets and what that means for jumping or walking.
