An Alien Clue: Discussion

Consider these points:

1. These aliens have a few things in common with us:

atoms and their nuclei are the same everywhere in the universe;
the aliens' planet is Earth-like, and their star is probably like the Sun;
both we and the aliens live in the same universe.

2. The range of sizes shown in the alien diagram is enormous!

3. If we could identify any one of the objects the aliens measured we could compare their measurement with ours and figure out how many meters in an alu.

Discuss the quiz with your neighbors; when you feel you've reached a conclusion press the A key on your clicker.

Question 1D.1

Please select one of the following:

I can identify one of the objects on the alien chart.
I can identify several objects on the alien chart.
I can identify all of the objects on the alien chart.
I'm not sure if I can identify any objects or not.
I'm sure it's impossible to identify any objects.

Question 1D.2

Here's the chart we constructed showing sizes of objects measured in meters. Compare it with the chart in the quiz, and try to decide if smallest object shown in the alien chart

is a star
is a planet
is an atom
is the nucleus of an atom
can't be identified

Question 1D.3

Now, using same chart as before, try to decide if the object in the alien chart with a size of 10⁰ alu (= 1 alu)

is a galaxy
is a star
is a planet
is an atom
can't be identified

Question 1D.4

Finally, given your answer to the last question, how many meters in 1 alu?

10³
10⁶
10⁹
10¹²
can't be determined

Joshua E. Barnes (barnes@ifa.hawaii.edu)

Last modified: August 29, 2006
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~barnes/ast110_06/quizzes/disc01.html