Chapter 5 Flashcards
Life cycle of a higher mass star
Main sequence
Super giant
Supernova
Neutron star or black hole
Life cycle of a lower mass star
Main sequence
Giant star
White dwarf
Black dwarf
Fusion
A process in which particles of an element collide and combine to form a heavier element, such as the fusion of hydrogen and helium that occurs in the Sun’s core
Convection
A transfer of energy from place to place by the motion of heated gas or liquid; in Earth’s mantle, convection is thought to transfer energy by the motion of solid rock, which when under great heat and pressure can move like a liquid
Corona
The layer of the suns atmosphere that looks like a halo during an eclipse
Sunspot
Areas of gas on the suns furnace that are cooler than the gases around them and appear dark
Solar wind
A stream of charged particles produced by the corona
Light year
The distance light travels in one year, which is 9.5 trillion kilometers.
Parallax
The apparent shift in the position of an object when viewed from different locations.
Nebula
A cloud of gas and dust in space. Stars form in nebulae.
Main sequence
The stage in which stars produce energy through the fusion of hydrogen into helium.
Black hole
The final stage of an extremely massive star, which is invisible because it’s gravity prevents any form of radiation from escaping.
Neutron star
A dense core that may be left behind after a higher mass star explodes in a supernova.
How does the Sun produce energy?
Hydrogen to helium fusion
Layers of the Sun from outermost to innermost
Corona Chromosphere Photosphere Convection zone Radiative zone Core
What layer do sunspots appear on?
Photosphere
What does the temperature of a star determine?
Color
Colors of stars from hottest to coolest
Blue white White Yellow white Yellow Orange Red
What part of the Sun can only be seen during an eclipse?
Corona
What does a parallax determine?
A stars distance from Earth
Which stars use hydrogen slower?
Lower, it has less mass
What is the only star in our solar system?
Sun
Where does the suns energy come from?
Hydrogen fusion
How does energy move from the Suns core to the photosphere?
Through the radiative zone
How many layers does the Sun have?
6
Which layer of the Suns interior is the hottest?
Core
How are sunspots different from other areas in the photosphere?
Appear dark
Cooler temperature
Brighter
What is the difference between a flare and a prominence?
Flare is hot gas on Suns surface
Prominence is a loop and isn’t on the surface
What protects earth from solar wind?
Magnetic field guides wind around the planets
What causes auroras to form?
Solar wind enter atmosphere
Solar flare
Eruptions that occur when the loops in sunspot regions suddenly connect
Core
The center if the Sun
Chromosphere
The lager of the suns atmosphere that has a reddish glow
Nuclear fusion
The joining of hydrogen atoms to form helium
Photosphere
The layer of the suns atmosphere that gives off visible light
Prominence
Reddish loops of gas that link parts of sunspot regions
Radiation zone
The layer of the Suns interior where energy is transferred mainly by electromagnetic radiation
Convection zone
The outermost layer of the suns INTERIOR
What do stars differ in?
Size, brightness, and temperature
What two things determine how bright a star appears to an observer?
The luminosity and distance from Earth
To determine the true brightness of a star, astronomers must measure what?
Distance from Earth
A stars temperature affects what?
Color
When a star runs out of ______ it starts to change
Fusion
Is the Sun a lower or higher mass star?
Lower
