This model will demonstrate the cycle of day and night using LED lights and a rotating Earth model. It will show how the Earth’s rotation around the Sun causes the alternation between day and night.
Materials Required:
Cardboard (for base and structure)
LED Lights (for Sun and Earth’s illumination)
DC Motor (for rotating Earth)
Small Plastic Ball (for Earth)
Yellow LED (for Sun)
Wires & Battery (for powering the LEDs and motor)
Switch (to control the circuit)
Color Paper/Paint (for decorating the Sun, Earth, and sky)
Glue Gun & Tape
Scissors
Steps to Make the Model:
1. Create the Base
Take a large cardboard base and cover it with blue color paper to represent the sky.
Draw or paint a Sun (yellow) on one side of the board. This represents daytime.
On the opposite side, leave space for the Earth to rotate.
2. Build the Earth
Use a small plastic ball or foam ball to represent Earth.
Paint it to resemble the Earth (Blue for oceans, green for continents).
Drill a small hole in the center of the Earth and insert a metal wire that will hold the ball in place and allow it to rotate.
Attach a small DC motor under the Earth to make it rotate (this can be powered by a 9V battery).
The Earth should be positioned to rotate on its axis to simulate the cycle of day and night.
3. Set Up the Sun
Attach a yellow LED light near the Sun on the model base. This will act as the Sunlight.
Wire the LED light to the battery through a switch to turn it on and off.
4. Add the Day and Night Effect
Position the Earth so that one side faces the LED Sun light (daytime), and the other side stays in shadow (nighttime).
As the Earth rotates on its axis, the side facing the Sun will be illuminated, showing day, while the other side will remain dark (simulating night).
5. Wiring the Circuit
Connect the LED (Sun) to the battery and switch using wires.
Attach the DC motor to the battery as well, making sure the Earth rotates.
You can set up the switch to control when the LED light is on/off, simulating the transition from day to night.
6. Decorate the Model
Use color paper to create clouds for the daytime side, and perhaps add stars on the nighttime side using white paint or stickers.
You can add mountains or landforms on the Earth for a more detailed model.