Solar system models (worksheet 3) | PDF - Free Printable

Let me carefully examine the image to understand the task.

The image shows a diagram of the Solar System with planets orbiting the Sun, and a list of statements (a–f) where the student must mark T (True) if the statement correctly describes something about the model shown, or F (False) if it’s incorrect.

I need to evaluate each statement based on the visual model:

- The diagram shows the Sun at the center.
- Planets are shown in concentric orbits: inner ones (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars), then an asteroid belt (dotted ring), then outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).
- Pluto is shown beyond Neptune — but labeled as a dwarf planet in statement (b).
- The planets appear roughly in correct order from the Sun.
- Distances between orbits are *not* to scale (inner planets look too far apart; outer planets too close).
- Asteroid belt is shown between Mars and Jupiter — correct location.
- Planets are not aligned in a straight line in the diagram — they’re scattered around their orbits.

Now I’ll go through each statement one by which requires checking against the diagram:

a. *all the main planets in the Solar System are shown.*
→ The diagram includes Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune — that’s all 8 main planets. Pluto is extra, but it says “main planets”, and Pluto is not considered a main planet anymore. So this is True.

b. *the size of the Sun relative to the planets.*
→ In reality, the Sun is vastly larger than all planets combined. In the diagram, the Sun is drawn much too small relative to the planets — especially compared to gas giants like Jupiter. So the relative size is incorrect → False.

c. *the planets are shown in the correct order.*
→ Yes: Mercury → Venus → Earth → Mars → (asteroid belt) → Jupiter → Saturn → Uranus → Neptune. That’s correct. → True.

d. *the relative distance between the planets*
→ In reality, distances increase dramatically outward (e.g., gap between Mars and Jupiter is huge; between Saturn and Uranus even bigger). In the diagram, spacing looks fairly uniform — not to scale. So this is False.

e. *where the asteroid belt is shown*
→ It’s shown between Mars and Jupiter — exactly where it belongs. → True.

f. *the planets in their orbits are usually lined up as shown*
→ In the diagram, planets are at various positions around their orbits — not in a straight line. But the phrase “usually lined up as shown” is tricky. Planets are *never* usually lined up in a straight line like in some simplified drawings. The diagram actually shows them *not* aligned — which is realistic. However, the statement says “usually lined up as shown” — and since the diagram does *not* show them lined up, and in reality they’re almost never lined up, the statement is misleading. Wait — re-read: “the planets in their orbits are usually lined up as shown”. Since the diagram shows them scattered (not aligned), and that *is* how they usually are (not aligned), then is it True? But the word “lined up” suggests alignment — and they’re *not* lined up in the diagram. The phrasing is ambiguous.

Let me zoom in on the diagram to confirm planetary positions.