Chapter 7, Problem 4VSC

Use the following questions to check your understanding of some of the many types of visual information used in astronomy. For additional practice, try the Chapter 7 Visual Quiz at Mastering Astronomy.

The plots above show the masses of the eight major planets on the vertical axis and their radial on the horizontal axis. The plot on the left shows the information on a linear scale, meaning that each tick mark indicates an increase by the same amount. The plot on the right shows the same information plotted on an exponential scale, meaning that each tick mark represents another actor-of-ten increase. Before proceeding, convince yourself that the points on each plot are the same.

4. Answer each of the following questions to compare the two plots.

a. Which plot, if either, best shows mass and radius information for all the planets?

b. Which plot, if either, best emphasizes the differences between Jupiter and Saturn?

c. Which plot, if either, could most easily be extended to show a planet with twice Jupiter's mass or radius?