Calculate the Speed of the Planets | The Schools' Observatory

Did you know the Earth is travelling around the Sun at nearly 107,000 kilometres per hour?

Do you think all the planets in the Solar System travel at the same speed? Use our planet data to work it out for yourself!

By the end of this resource you will:

Have used your knowledge of geometry to work out the distance each planet travels around the Sun
Have used astronomical data and units of time to work out how much time it takes for each planet to complete an orbit
Have used the speed-distance-time formula to calculate the speed of each planet

To complete this resource you will need:

IT Equipment

OPTIONAL - Spreadsheet software (e.g. MS Excel) - if you are new to spreadsheet software, use the MS Help Sheet below

Files or Documents

Approx Duration

30 - 60 mins

Have a go

Open the worksheet and read task 1. Don’t forget to read the assumption and tip.
Complete tasks 1, 2 and 3 on the worksheet. You can print out the worksheet or fill in the PDF digitally.
For task 3, if you prefer, you can create your graph using spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel.
Once you have completed the worksheet, you can check your answers using the answer sheet above.
If you have time, you can have a go at the extra task - the Interactive Orrery may help you with your thinking.

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