Aerospace Environment - Module 1

Question 1

The sun has ______ year activity cycle and ______ year magnetic cycle.

Answer 1

11
22

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 5

Question 2

The two primary zones of the sun’s internal structure are the _______ and ________ zones.

Answer 2

Radiative
Convective

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 6

Question 3

The radiative and convective zones are separated by the _____________.

Answer 3

Tachocline.

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 6

Question 4

In the radiative zone, gamma radiation is generated by _________.

Answer 4

Nuclear fusion reactions.

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 7

Question 5

True or False:
Throughout the radiative zone, gamma rays are constantly being absorbed then reemitted at lower frequencies.

Answer 5

True

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 7

Question 6

The convective zone is dominated by what three general structures?

Answer 6

1. Granules
2. Supergranules
3. Giant Convection Cells

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 9

Question 7

True or False:
The equator of the sun rotates at 1.3x time speed of the poles.

Answer 7

True

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 11

Question 8

True or False:
The differential rotation of the sun causes the magnetic field to wind up and shift every 11 years.

Answer 8

True

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 11

Question 9

What are the three layers above the convective zone?

Answer 9

1. Photosphere
2. Chromosphere
3. Corona

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 12

Question 10

True or False:
The temperature decreases as you travel through the Potosphere, Chromosphere, and Corona.

Answer 10

False. Temperature increases as you move through these layers.

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 13

Question 11

What layer of the sun does 99% of the energy Earth receives come from?

Answer 11

The potosphere.

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 14

Question 12

True or False:
The photosphere can be treated as a blackbody at 5780 K which emits at all wavelengths with a characteristic spectrum determined by the temperature.

Answer 12

True

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 15

Question 13

What are line emissions?

Answer 13

Line emissions are photons emitted by an atom or molecule when a bound electron relaxes back to a lower energy state.

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 21

Question 14

What is the makeup of the corona?

Answer 14

Very high temperature plasmas that are fully ionized.

Lecture Slides - Mod 1 - 24

Question 15

What creates the sun’s magnetic field?

Answer 15

Velocity shear at the base of the convective zone.28