6

Science
Quarter 4 – Module 6:
Sizes of the Planets and Their
Relative Distances from
the Sun
Science – Grade 6
Quarter 4 – Module 6: Sizes of the Planets and Their Relative Distances from the
Sun First Edition, 2021

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Science
Quarter 4 – Module 6:
Sizes of the Planets and Their
Relative Distances from
the Sun
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to
use this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress
while allowing them to manage their own learning at home.
Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as
they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different
activities in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be
reminded of the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any
part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let U s Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking
your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this

module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always
bear in mind that you are not alone. We hope that through this material,
you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding
of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn

A wonderful day to you little scientist! In this module, you will learn the
relative sizes of the planets and their relative distances from the s u n . You
shall learn how far earth from the sun is.

Specifically, you are expected to:

 Identify the planets in the solar system;
 Compare the sizes of the planets in the solar system;
 Construct a model of solar system showing their relative sizes and
distances from the sun (MELCs, S 6 E S - IVi-j-7).

Let Us Try!

A. Choose the best answer and write this on a separate paper.

1. What is the largest planet in the solar system?

A. Saturn C. Jupiter
B. Earth D. Uranus

2. What is the closest planet to the sun?

A. Earth C. Mercury
B. Venus D. Mars

3. Which is the farthest planet from the sun?

A. Mercury C. Neptune
B. Saturn D. Jupiter

4. Which is the second largest planet in the solar system?

A. Saturn C. Jupiter
B. Neptune D. Uranus

5. Which statement is true about all the planets in the solar system?
A. They are oval in shape.
B. They are made of rocks.
C. They revolve around the S u n .
D. They shine because they have their own light.

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B. What’s in the Word?
How much do you know about the solar system? Identify the words related to
it. Use the clues in identifying the words.

A star near the Earth – S

A heavenly body that revolves around the Earth - O
Movement around another object - L
The fourth planet from
the sun - A
The ringed planet – S
The nearest planet to the sun -
Y The largest
planet - P

An imaginary curved line taken by the revolving planet -

T
A heavenly body that has head and a tail,
and orbits around the sun -

Let Us Study

Study the basic information about the planets and answer the given
questions.

The solar system in which we live is home to eight planets including Earth. The
number was reduced from nine when Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in
2006. Planets differ in size. Some are small while others are considered big. The
small planets have diameters less than 13, 000 km across. These include Mercury,
Ve nus , Earth and Mars. These are the inner planets or terrestrial planets

The giant planets include Jupiter, S aturn, U ranus and Neptune. These giants’
planets are also known as outer planets. The distance of each planet from the sun
is a determinant of its basic composition. The outer planets may have rocky cores,
but if so, the cores are deeply embedded in the mixture of gas and ice that forms
their bulk. One reason for Pluto's reclassification is that, orbiting beyond Neptune
and yet being mostly rock, it doesn't conform to this pattern. (V. Romualdez, 2018)
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Planets Description

Mercury is the smallest planet in our Solar

System since Pluto was demoted to a dwarf
planet. It has a diameter of 4,879 km, and a
surface area of 17.48 x 10 7 km 2 , which is only
about 11% of Earth’s surface area. Mercury’s
Mercury volume is even smaller in comparison at 6.083
x 10 1 0 km 3 , which is only 5.4% the volume of
Earth.

Mercury, named after a Roman God, is 57

million kilometers away from the sun and 48
million miles from Earth.

It takes 87.96 Earth days for Mercury to

revolve around the S u n , faster than any other
planet, and 58.7 Earth days to rotate on its
axis. Mercury’s surface is marked by smooth
plains and deep craters, and the planet is
made mostly of rocks and metal.

Venus is second planet from the S u n . It is

similar in size to Earth, which earned it the
title of Earth’s twin because it’s the same size
Venus as Earth, like fraternal twins, Venus is
different from Earth. Venus has a diameter of
12,100 km and a surface area of 4.6 x
10 8 km 2 . These measurements are 95% and
90% of Earth’s diameter and surface area
respectively. With a volume of 9.38 x 10 1 1 km 3 ,
Venus’ volume is 86% of Earth’s.

Venus, named after the Roman Goddess of

love and beauty, is 107 million km from the
sun and 26 million miles away from Earth. It
is the sixth largest planet in the solar system.
It takes 224.68 Earth days for Venus to revolve
around the S u n and 243 Earth days to rotate
on its axis. Therefore, it is the planet with the
longest day. Venus, is the brightest object in
the sky besides our sun and the moon, has a
surface with rocky and dusty mountains,
canyons and plains.

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Planets Description
Earth, the third planet from the s u n , is the
fifth largest planet in the solar system; only
the gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and
Earth Neptune are bigger. Earth has a diameter of
12,756 km and a surface area of 5.1 x 10 8 km 2 .
Its volume of 1.08 x 10 1 2 k m 3 gives the planet
the largest volume of any of the terrestrial
planets.

Earth is the largest of the terrestrial planets of

the inner solar system, bigger than Mercury,
Venus and Mars. It is the only planet in the
solar system that supports life due to the
presence of liquid water. The solar energy
received by Earth has the right temperature
for living organisms to sustain life. It is about
149 million km away from the S u n .

Mars is also a small planet, the second

smallest in our Solar System. Mars’ diameter
is 6,792 km, only about 53% of Earth’s
Mars diameter. At only 28% of Earth’s surface area,
Mars has a very small surface area of 1.45 x
10 8 km 2 . Mars’ volume of 1.63 x 10 1 1 km 3 is
only 15% of Earth’s volume

Mars is often referred to as the Red Planet,

because it's covered with reddish dust and
rocks. It is 228 million km away from the sun.

Mars is the seventh largest planet in the solar

system. It takes 686.98 Earth days for Mars
to revolve around the s u n , and it rotates on
its axis in 24.5 Earth hours. It has a hard,
dry, rocky surface and two moons.

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 Jupiter

All of the gas giants are larger in size than the four inner planets. Jupiter is the
largest planet in our Solar System. It has a diameter of 142,800 km , which is more
than 11 times the size of Earth’s diameter, which means that you can fit all the
other planets inside it and over a dozen Earths can line up across it. The numbers
only get larger from there. Jupiter has a surface area of 6.22 x 10 1 0 km 2 . That is
122 times greater than Earth’s surface area. Jupiter’s volume of 1.43 x 10 1 5 km 3 is
an incredible number. You can fit 1321 Earths inside Jupiter.

Jupiter, is 778 million kilometers away from the s u n . It takes Jupiter

11.862 Earth years to revolve around the s u n and 9.84 Earth hours to
rotate on its axis, making it the planet with the shortest day. Jupiter has
at least 63 moons and is mostly made of hydrogen and helium.
Saturn

Saturn is the second largest planet in our Solar System. S aturn, best known for
its rings made of billions of ice particles, is 1 429.4 million kilometers away from
the s u n and 550.9 million miles from Earth. It has a diameter of 120 660 km
across the equator, and a surface area of 4.27 x 10 1 0 km 2 . With a volume of 8.27 x
10 1 4 km 3 , Saturn can hold 764 Earths inside.

It takes 29.46 Earth years for Saturn to revolve around the s u n and 10.7
Earth hours to rotate on its axis. It is made of liquid and gas, so it would
actually float on water.

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 Uranus

Uranus, the first planet discovered with a

telescope, is 2 871 million kilometers away from
the s u n . It is named after the Greek god of the
sky. Uranus has a diameter of 52, 400 km and
a surface area of 8.1 x 10 9 km 2 . making it the
third largest planet in the solar system.
Although Uranus is much smaller than Jupiter,
it is still large. With a volume of 6.83 x 10 1 3 km 3 ,
you could fit 63 Earths inside the gas giant.

It takes 84.04 Earth years for Uranus to revolve

around the s u n and 17 Earth hours to rotate on
its axis. is made of hydrogen, helium and
methane and has no solid surface.

Neptune

Neptune is slightly smaller than Uranus, but still very large. The planet has
a diameter of 49,500 km. You could fit 57.7 Earths inside Neptune, which
has a volume of 6.25 x10 1 3 km 3 .

Neptune has a surface area of 7.64 x 10 9 km 2 , which is 15 times Earth’s

surface area. Neptune is the fourth largest planet in the solar system.

It takes 164.79 Earth years for Neptune to revolve around the s u n and 16
Earth hours to rotate on its axis. Like U ranus, Neptune is made of
hydrogen, helium and methane.

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Questions:
1. Which planet is about as big as the Earth?
2. What planet in the solar system is farthest from the S u n ?
3. What is the seventh planet from the sun?
4. What is the third planet from the sun?
5. What is the second smallest planet in the solar system?
6. What is the sixth planet from the S u n ?
7. Why does it take Neptune a longer time to complete its journey around
the S u n ?
8. If Jupiter is the biggest planet, which is the smallest?
9. Do you agree that planets in the solar system differ in sizes?
10. If you were a planet, which planet would you like to be, the
planet that is nearer from the S u n or farther from the S u n ? Why?

The table below summarizes the information you have learned about the
planets.
Average
distance in
Diameter Period of Period of
Planet million
(Kilometer) Revolution Rotation
kilometers
from the sun

1. Mercury 58 4 900 88 days 59 days,

2. Venus 108 12 104 224.7 days 243 days
3. Earth 150 12 756 365 days 24 hours
4. Mars 228 6 800 1.88 years 24.5 hours
5. Jupiter 778 142 800 11.86 years 10 hours
6. Saturn 1 429 120 660 29.46 years 10.7 hours
7. Uranus 2 871 52 400 84.04 years 17 hours
8. Neptune 4 501 49 500 164.8 years 16 hours

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 The Solar System

Let Us Practice

Activity 1: It’s Puzzle Time!

Complete the puzzle through the given clue.

Across:
2 The largest planet in the solar system.
3 The second largest planet in the
solar system.
5 The movement of planets
around the S u n .
11 The dwarf planet and
farthest from
the S u n .
12 The third largest planet
in the solar system.

Down:
1 The only planet inhabited by man.
4 The fourth largest planet in the solar system.
6 The center of the solar system.
7 The only natural satellite of Earth.
8 The movement of planets on its axis.
9 The fourth closest planet from the sun and also considered as the red
planet.
10 The brightest planet and the second planet from the S u n .

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  The planets vary in size and distance from the S u n .
 Planets are classified into inner and outer planets. The inner
planets are called terrestrial planets because they are solid, rock-
like, and dense. The terrestrial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth
and Mars.
 The outer planets are also called as gaseous planet. The outer
planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
 Now, you have a little knowledge about the size and distance of the
planets from the S u n . You can now make a model of the solar
system.

Let Us Practice More

Activity 2A: Who Am I ?

Direction: Label the planets of the solar system in the diagram. Write your
answer inside the box.
8.

7.

6.

5.
1.

4.

3.

2.

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Activity 2B: What’s the Difference?
Direction: Compare the given planets to each other.

1. Compare the size of Jupiter and Mars

2. Compare the distance of Mercury and Neptune from the S u n

Let Us Remember

 The distances of planets from the sun differ. The nearest planet to the
S u n is Mercury.
The first five planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter are
million kilometres away from the S u n . The last three – Saturn, Uranus,
and Neptune are more than a billion kilometres from the S u n . (C. Tan,
2012)
 The surface temperatures of planets are affected by their distances from
the S u n . In general, planets nearer to the S u n have higher surface
temperatures. Those planets farther from the S u n lower surface
temperatures. (C. Tan, 2012)
 Mercury is the closest planet to the s u n . It receives so much of heat
from the s u n , that the atmosphere has evaporated, and it’s a dry and
desiccated planet .
 Students use metric measurement, including Astronomical Units (AU),
to investigate the relative size and distance of the planets in our solar
system. Then they use scale to model relative distance.

Let Us Assess

Read the questions carefully. Choose the best answer and write it on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the center of the solar system?

A. Moon C. S u n
B. Planets D. Asteroid

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2. What is the closest planet from the S u n ?
A. Mercury C .
Mars
B. Earth D.
Jupiter
A. 12,756 km C. 120,536 km
3. What is the Km
B. 49,500 Earth’s diameter? D. 25 000 Km

4. Which of these describe the distance of the planets from the S u n ?

A. similar C. changing
B. different D. peculiar

5. What is the fifth planet from the S u n in our solar system or the first
outer planet?
A. Saturn C. Jupiter
B. Mars D. Uranus

6. What is the second largest planet in the solar system?

A. Jupiter C. Saturn
B. Uranus D. Neptune

7. Which planet is almost the same size as Earth?

A. Mercury C. Jupiter
B. Venus D. Mars

8. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system measuring 142,800 in

diameter. Which planet has the least diameter?
A. Mercury C. Saturn
B. Venus D. Mars

9. Which planet is slightly smaller than Uranus?

A. Neptune C. Jupiter
B. Saturn D. Mars

10. Earth is the largest of the terrestrial planet of the inner solar system
measuring 150 million km away from the S u n . Which planet has the
least distance from the S u n ?
A. Mars C. Venus
B. Mercury D. Uranus

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 Let Us Enhance

Activity 3A: Solar System Model

Direction: Construct a model of a solar system based on their relative sizes
and distance. Use recycled materials in creating the model.

How do the planets differ in size?

Old newspaper
scissors
Prepare these:
Water color
String
Cardboard
Pencil
9
matchstic
ks
Colored paper
Paste
Compass (for
Try These: making circle)
Make a Solar System Model

1. Follow the following steps:

a. Get the cardboard and find its center by drawing a line from top to
bottom and a line from right to left.
b. Draw circles for the orbits of the 8 planets using the compass. For
the first four planet planets’ orbit, draw the circles closer to the S u n ,
leave a large gap, and draw the last planets’ orbit far from the S u n .
c. Punch hole in the cardboard using the point of the scissors or
pencils. The center hole is where the S u n will hang. The other holes
will be for the planets. Be careful that you do not hurt yourself.

2. Make models of the S u n and planets of the solar system. Since the
range in size of the S u n and the planet is far too great, it is very difficult
to represent them accurately. J u s t make the S u n the biggest and the
other large planets smaller. Consider the other relative diameter of the
other planets, too.

3. For the S u n and the planets, crumple a piece of old newspaper to form
a ball. Cover it with a colored paper. Draw the corresponding features
of the S u n and planets.

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 4. Get the matchstick and cut off the sulfurous end. Tie one end of the
string on the matchstick and lace it through a hole. Tie the other end
of the string on the S u n or planet.

5. Hang them accordingly. Adjust the length of the string so that the S u n
or planets would be on the same plane.

Source: ( E . Antonio, E . Banlaygas, E . Dallo, & A. Page, 2018 )

Note:
Please a s k for a help or assisstance from an
adult in doing the task above.

Rubrics on Making a Model of a Solar System

Criteria 5 4 3 2
All the planets
with proper Only the
orbits and other sun and Lacking 1 Lacking 2
Content members of the planets are planet in planets in
accuracy solars system visible in the model the model
are visible the model

The solar The solar The model The model is

system model is system is distractingly
exceptionally model is acceptably mess or very
Attractiveness/ attractive in
Creativity attractive in attractive poorly
terms of design, terms od though it designed. It
design.
colors, layout, may be a is not
and neatness bit messy attractive.
The model The model The model The model
submitted 2 submitted submitted 1 submitted 2
Timeliness days before the on due day after or 3 days
deadline. time. the after the
deadline deadline.
Materials used Materials Materials Materials
in the model are used are used are used are not
Materials used/
safe and safe and slightly safe safe and not
Durability durable. durable.
slightly and
durable durable.

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  The solar system model is one of the basic things which is taught to
students at the beginning level in science. Also, the solar system is
the planetary system that exists at the center of our galaxy (Milky
Way).
 Building a solar system model is not a difficult task if you can
visualize it. Also, if you know inside your brain the size and position
relation of the planets. Besides, building a practical model of the
solar system is not possible but we can make a correctly scaled
model. ( J. Anand 2018)

Activity 3B: Is it TRUE or FA L S E ?

Direction: Write True if the statement is correct and False if NOT. Write your
answer on the blank provided for.

1. There are eight planets in the solar system.

2. The Earth is the largest planet in the solar system.
3. The closest planet to the sun in our solar system is Mars.
4. In our solar system, the planets known as the giant planets
are also known as the outer planets?
5. Jupiter's size is greater than the combined sizes of all the
other planets in our solar system.

Let Us Reflect

If all the planets started revolving around the sun at the same time which
planet would first complete its travel? Why?

Suppose life is possible in all the planets, on which planet would you like to
live? Why?
 It is often difficult to grasp just how large the planets actually are. There
are a number of ways to measure a planet, including diameter, volume,
and surface area.
 The movement of object or any heavenly bodies, like planet, around the
S u n is called the planet’s period of revolution. The distance of a planet
from the S u n affects its period of revolution. The nearer the planet to the
s u n , the shorter its period of revolution. A planet that is farther has a
longer period of revolution. Mercury, being the nearest planet to the S u n ,
is the fastest. In contrast, Neptune being the farthest is the slowest. It
takes Mercury 88 days to complete one revolution, while Neptune takes
165 years.

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 15

Activity 1
Down
Across 1. Earth
4. Neptune
2. Jupiter
6. Sun
3. Saturn 7. Moon
5. Revolution 8. Rotation
11. Pluto 9. Mars
10. Venus
12. Uranus

Activity 2A
1. Mercury
2. Venus
3. Earth
4. Mars
5. Jupiter
6. Saturn
7. Uranus
8. Neptune

Activity 2B
9. Jupiter is the largest planet while Mars is the smallest planet in the Solar System.
10.Mercury is the nearest planet from the Sun while Neptune is the farthest planet.

Activity 3A (Solar System Model)

Activity 3B
1. True
2. False
3. False
4. True
5. True

Let Us Assess Let Us Assess Let Us Try

6. C 1. C 1. C
2. C
7. B 2. A 3. C
8. D 3. A 4. A
5. C
9. A 4. B

10. B 5. C

Answer Key
 References

Banlaygas, E . , Dallo, E . , Page, A., and Antonio, E . 2010. Science Quest 5.

Tomas Morato, Ave., Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City: Sunshine
Interlinks Publishing House, Inc.

Gastanes, R . , Mapa, M . , Martinez, V. , Perfecto, S . , and Madua, C . 2015.

Science @ WO R K 6. 351-360. 2F L & G Bldg. No 30 Bristol S t . corner
Bronson S t . North Fairview, Quezon City: Neo Asia Publishing Inc.

H ow to Make a Solar Syste m at Home for School Project. Accessed

January 23, 2021. https://www.toppr.com/guides/science/science-
projects/ how-to-make-a-solar-system-project-at-home/

Padpad, E . 2017. The New Science Links. Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc. (RBSI),

Planetary Size and Distance Comparison. Accessed January

23, 2021. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/planetary-size-
and- distance-comparison/

Solar System. Accessed J a n u a r y 24, 2021. https://

www.ducksters.com/ questions/solarsystem.php

Tan, C . 2012. Science for Daily U s e 5 . Horizon S t . , Rim View Park, S S S

Village, Marikina City: J i c a Enterprises.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education –Davao City Division

E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City

Telephone: (082) 227 4762

Email Address:
lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph

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