Models of the Solar System - Worksheet

The Models of the Solar System worksheet is a comprehensive educational resource designed to guide students through the historical developments in our understanding of the cosmos. The worksheet poses a series of questions that encourage learners to explore the differences between the geocentric and heliocentric models of the solar system. For instance, students are asked to identify the model illustrated in a given diagram, define the term 'heliocentric', and explain the meaning of 'geo'. Additionally, they delve into the history of astronomy by naming ancient astronomers who advocated for the geocentric model and examining the evidence used to support this early theory.

Further questions on the worksheet prompt students to research the pivotal figures in the development of the heliocentric model, such as the astronomer who first positioned the Sun at the centre of the solar system. Students also investigate the role of Galileo's instrumental discoveries and the reasons for the Church's disapproval of the revolutionary theories proposed by Copernicus and Galileo. The contributions of Kepler and Newton to the understanding of the heliocentric model are another focus of inquiry. To complete their research, students are encouraged to use reference books and the internet, ensuring a thorough investigation into what each model proposes about the universe, the reasons behind the early acceptance of the geocentric model, and the development of the heliocentric model by its key proponents.