ES151 Introduction to EngineeringProfessor Fiore
Scale Models
The goal of this exercise is to make true-to-scale models of items that are beyond the typical everyday human experience. This includes elements of both very small and very large dimensions, typically many orders of magnitude larger or smaller than a human. This will aid in the visualization of items that are at extreme magnitudes.
The scale model should represent each physical element with an appropriately scaled item from common experience. For example, a planet could be represented by, say, a garden pea, with other items in the model using appropriately sized representations (maybe an apple or a cantaloupe). The completed model must be true to scale in all appropriate parameters and it must be “buildable”* (that is, conceivably someone could build the model without requiring highly specialized equipment). All components of the model must be visible to the naked eye. If the separation distances are larger than a room, they should be mapped to some place on the MVCC campus or within the confines of the City of Utica and surrounding suburbs if at all possible (Google Earth may be useful for this).
The model could focus on length/distance between objects, the volume of objects (i.e. relative size) or the mass of objects. An appropriate, properly referenced report is required along with a class presentation. The report should include a table of all original data, the scaling factor used, and a table of the scaled data with the chosen objects.
Ideas for possible models:
A hydrogen atom (appropriately sized proton and electron with scaled separation distance).
Solar system from Sun out to Neptune with planets (distances and sizes).
Sun, Earth and Moon system.
Sun and nearest star.
* There are exceptions to the “buildable” rule for extreme models. Check with me first if you think yours applies.