Which of the following changes would cause the fusion rate in the Sun's core to increase?
An increase in the core temperature and A decrease in the core radius.
Which of the following must occur for a star's core to reach equilibrium after an initial change in fusion rate?
If the fusion rate initially increases, then the core expands.If the fusion rate initially decreases, then the core contracts.
What would happen if the fusion rate in the core of the Sun were increased but the core could not expand?
The Sun's core would start to heat up and the rate of fusion would increase even more
What two physical processes balance each other to create the condition known as gravitational equilibrium in stars?
gravitational force and outward pressure
The source of energy that keeps the Sun shining today is _________.
nuclear fusion
To understand the interplay of observations and models you must first be able to distinguish between things that we observe and things that we infer from models. Consider the following statements about the Sun. Classify each statement as an observation or
observation: The photosphere is made mostly of hydrogen and helium,The photosphere emits mostly visible light,The corona is hotter than the photosphere, The Sun emits neurtrinos and inferences: The Sun generates energy by fusing hydrogen into helium,The c
One statement about the Sun from Part A is "The corona is hotter than the photosphere." Which of the following statements provides observational evidence for this claim?
We can calculate it by applying Newton's version of Kepler's third law with Earth's orbital period (1 year) and Earth's average distance from the Sun (1 AU).
A solar model is used to calculate the expected temperature and density at all depths within the Sun. These results are then used to calculate the expected fusion rate within the Sun. We have confidence that the model is correct because it agrees with the
Measurements of the Sun's total energy output into space and Observations of neutrinos coming from the Sun.
One statement about the Sun from Part A is "The corona is hotter than the photosphere." Which of the following statements provides observational evidence for this claim?
The corona primarily emits X rays while the photosphere primarily emits visible light.
Listed following are the different layers of the Sun. Rank these layers based on their distance from the Sun's center, from greatest to least.
Greatest distance corona, chromosphere, photosphere, convection zone, radiation zone, core. least distance.
Rank the layers of the Sun based on their density, from highest to lowest.
core, radiation zone, convection zone,photosphere, chromosphere, corona.
Rank the following layers of the Sun based on their temperature, from highest to lowest.
core, radiation zone, convective zone, photosphere.
Rank the following layers of the Sun based on the pressure within them, from highest to lowest.
core, radiation zone, convective zone, photosphere.
In which of the following layer(s) of the Sun does nuclear fusion occur?
core
Which of the following layers of the Sun can be seen with some type of telescope? Consider all forms of light, but do not consider neutrinos or other particles
core, chromosphere, and photosphere.
Solar energy leaves the core of the Sun in the form of
photons
If fusion reactions were to suddenly shut off in the Sun, how would we be able to tell?
The Sun would begin to cool and get smaller and smaller as it morphs into a brown dwarf. The Earth would likewise slowly cool. It might be livable for a few more years besides for poor crop yields, famine, and expanding ice sheets. Given enough supplies,