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Scale Models of the Universe
Scale Models of the Universe
Our Universe is astonishingly large and small, so much so, that we cannot imagine the extreme dimensions. Our sense of scale is limited to a thin sliver on the spectrum of scale, having evolved with our five senses and our immediate surroundings - valleys and mountains, trees and rivers, seeds and sand grains. To step outside of this experience requires creating scale models of the very large and the very small, namely creating models we can appreciate with our eyes and hands.
To capture the scale of the Universe we need a series of scale models that can relate to each other, such as a scale model of the solar system nested inside a scale model of our surrounding stars. These models are separated by a scale factor that is always 1000 times larger or smaller than the previous one. Like a Russian doll, we can appreciate a series of ever growing or diminishing dimensions. Starting at our current size, our journey encompasses 8 rungs going upwards in size, and 4 rungs downwards - a total of 12 scale models. We could have more, no doubt, but we bump into limits of scientific knowledge. Could the scale of size go on forever? Is there a limit to the upper or lower rungs on this ladder of scale? We can ponder these questions and glimpse with some trepidation what lies behind the doorways of infinity and nothingness.
Each thumbnail below is a link to a YouTube video (5 - 10 minutes) that demonstrates a particular scale model, at first ascending into the very large, and then descending into the very small.
Scale Factor
Scale Factor
The scale factor represents the ratio between the length in the scale model to the corresponding length in the real world.
Examples
1:1000 means 1 unit in the scale model equals 1000 units in reality, so the scale model shrinks real world dimensions by 1000 times.
1:0.001 means 1 unit in the scale model equals 0.001 units in reality, so the scale model enlarges real world dimensions by 1000 times.
Kilo Scale Model
Kilo Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:1,000 (one to a thousand)
Kilo comes from Greek meaning "1000".
We step into a world where everything is 1000 times smaller. Mountains are reduced to tall boulders. The Earth is only ~13 kilometers across. Walking around the Earth is roughly equivalent to a marathon.
Mega Scale Model
Mega Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:1,000,000 (one to a million)
Mega comes from Greek meaning "great".
The Earth is a million times smaller and only ~13 meters wide. It appears perfectly round to the eye and very smooth.
Giga Scale Model
Giga Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:1,000,000,000 (one to a billion)
Giga comes from Greek meaning "giant".
The Sun is ~1.4 meters wide, and the planets, while small, stretch out several kilometers away.
Tera Scale Model
Tera Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:1,000,000,000,000 (one to a trillion)
Tera comes from Greek meaning "monster".
The solar system and its orbiting planets span ~9 meters edge to edge. The stars are still incredibly far away.
Peta Scale Model
Peta Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:1,000,000,000,000,000 (one to a quadrillion)
Peta comes from Greek meaning "five". It denotes the fifth power of 1000.
The solar system is the size of a small button. The next closest star is ~40 meters away. In between is a lot of empty space!
Exa Scale Model
Exa Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:1,000,000,000,000,000,000 (one to a quintillion)
Exa comes from Greek meaning "six". It denotes the sixth power of 1000.
A light year is only ~ 1 centimeter across. The Milky Way is ~1 kilometer edge to edge. At this scale, the stars we see in the night sky with our eyes are relatively close to our Sun.
Zetta Scale Model
Zetta Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (one to a sextillion)
Zetta comes from an alteration of the Latin "septum" meaning "seven". It denotes the seventh power of 1000.
The Milky Way is only ~1 meter wide. Our closest large galaxy, the Andromeda Galaxy, is ~24 meters away. There lies much darkness between the galaxies.
Yotta Scale Model
Yotta Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (one to a septillion)
Yotta comes from Greek meaning "eight". It denotes the eighth power of 1000.
The observable Universe is 880 meters across. Galaxies are points of light. This is the last stop on the upper rung of the scale ladder. Do the rungs keep ascending towards infinity?
Milli Scale Model
Milli Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:0.001 (one to one thousandth)
Milli comes from Latin meaning "thousand".
We now start exploring the micro world. We step into a world where everything is 1000 times larger. Red blood cells are ~7 millimeters wide.
Micro Scale Model
Micro Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:0.000001 (one to one millionth)
Micro comes from Greek meaning "small".
At this scale, a grain of sand is huge, ~500 meters tall. We begin to see atoms as tiny objects we can hold in our hands.
Nano Scale Model
Nano Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:0.000000001 (one to one billionth)
Nano comes from Greek meaning "dwarf".
The hydrogen atom, the most common element in the Universe, appears 10 centimeters across when measuring the extent of its electron. We cannot see the atomic nucleus yet.
Pico Scale Model
Pico Scale Model
Scale Factor: 1:0.000000000001 (one to one trillionth)
Pico comes from Spanish meaning "a small balance".
We explore the tiny nucleus of the atom comprised of protons and neutrons. This is the last stop on the lower rung of the scale ladder. Do the rungs keep descending into nothingness?
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