What effect has their distance from the Sun to do with conditions on planets?
Developing a rule is another type of model that may provide an extension opportunity for students. Students can try to develop a rule that explains the relationship between conditions on planets and their distance from the Sun. Students make a list of the main features of the planets in our solar system. They investigate whether a link can be made, for example, between the temperature of the planet and its distance from the Sun. What are other effects caused by planets being at different distances from the Sun? In their report, students demonstrate their ability to access, sort and analyse electronic data to develop one or more rules. They explain how their rule represents a good model.
