The Sun's Life Cycle (Part 2)

What You'll Learn

The sun goes through an 11-year cycle of activity. During solar maximum, more sunspots and solar flares occur, which can affect satellites and power grids on Earth.

Key Words

rotation
revolution
constellation

Materials Needed

string
tape
pencil
ruler
compass

Safety First

Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.
Use materials only as directed in the experiment.
Keep small objects away from young children.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Study the diagram and label the parts you recognize.

Step 2 — Do

Build a scale model of the inner solar system using different-sized balls. Research the relative sizes and distances of the planets.

Step 3 — Observe

Observe what happens and describe it in detail.

Step 4 — Record

Record your observations in your science journal with measurements and descriptions.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is a nebula?