True/False: The Sun's radius is about 100 times the radius of the Milky Way
FALSE
About 4 million tons of ____________ are converted to energy in the Sun's core every second
Matter
True/False: The Sun is composed entirely of oxygen and helium
FALSE
The sunspot cycle is a pattern of solar activity where the average number of sunspots gradually _______________ and ________________
Increases, decreases
What are the regions of the Sun?
...
Given that the Sun is estimated to be about 5 billion years old, scientists estimate that we are about halfway through its lifetime. This means that the Sun's lifetime is expected to be what length of time?
10 billion years
The photosphere is the what?
The lowest layer of the Sun's atmosphere
True/False: The core of the Sun is the interior or center part of this star
TRUE
True/False: The balance of gravity pulling outward at the same time pressure is pushing in is known as gravitational equilibrium
False--it's the opposite
When the Sun is in its maximum solar cycle, what occurs?
Up to 3 CMEs are created in one day
True/False: The Sun is the centermost star of our solar system
TRUE
True/False: The Sun orbits the center of the Milky Way
TRUE
True/False: The Sun is divided into 3 regions
FALSE
What does the Sun orbit?
The center of the Milky Way
True/False: The chromosphere is the lowest layer of the Sun's atmosphere
FALSE
What are the 6 regions of the Sun?
There are six regions of the Sun. The inner regions include the core, radiative zone, and convective zone. The outer regions include the visible surface (photosphere), chromosphere, and corona.
What is nuclear fusion? What role does nuclear fusion play in the Sun?
Nuclear fusion is when two atomic nuclei combine and form one nucleus. Nuclear fusion generates all of the Sun's energy. Inward pulling by the Sun's gravity is counteracted by outward pushing by the Sun's nuclear fusion; this balance keeps the sun from co
How are sunspots and solar flares similar? How are they different?
Sunspots are small, cool, dark spots that can be seen in the Sun's photosphere; they can last for a few weeks. Solar flares are extremely hot explosions into the Sun's atmosphere; the human eye can not see them. Solar flares have three stages, which can l
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth, and it blocks the light, so the Sun appears black. There are two types of solar eclipses: a full eclipse (the Moon completely blocks the Sun), and a partial or annular eclipse (the Mo
Imagine that you are traveling in a spaceship to the center of the Sun. What would you experience and see in each of the Sun's regions?
While traveling in a spaceship to the center of the Sun, I would notice that it is divided into six regions. From outer to inner, the Sun's regions include the corona, chromosphere, photosphere, convective zone, radiative zone, and the core. At the corona
What is the proton-proton chain reaction? Describe this process.
The proton-proton chain reaction is the process in which energy is created from nuclear fusion. First, two hydrogen nuclei (protons) combine (one of the hydrogen nuclei is converted into a neutron), forming a deuterium nucleus. The deuterium nucleus and a
How does the Sun manage to maintain an environment in its core that is conducive to nuclear fusion?
Gravitational equilibrium helps maintain the environment in the Sun's core that is conducive to nuclear fusion. The Sun's gravitational equilibrium balances the gravity pulling inward and the pressure pushing outward. It keeps the Sun's size, denseness, a
As the Sun ages, what will happen to life here on Earth? Why?
As the Sun ages, it will become a red giant; its core will become denser and hotter, creating carbon from helium nuclei. Then the Sun will shed its outer layers, cool down, and fade, becoming a white dwarf star. The planets of the Solar System will move a
How can solar weather affect our lives on Earth?
Solar weather can affect life on Earth through solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The X-rays emitted during solar flares can affect radio communications, some can cause radio blackouts. Coronal mass ejections can cause geomagnetic storms in the Eart