The Sun

Question 1

What are some facts about the Sun?

Answer 1

• The Sun is a medium-sized star located at the center of our solar system.
• It has a diameter of about 1.4 million kilometers
• The Sun is the closest star to Earth
• The largest body in our solar system.
• It provides all living things with the energy they need to survive.
• Its strong gravitational pull keeps Earth in a steady orbit around it.

Question 2

What is Nuclear Fusion?

Answer 2

Process by which the Sun produces large amounts of heat & light.

Hydrogen + Hydrogen → Helium + ENERGY

Occurs in the Sun’s core (can reach temperatures of up to 5 million degrees)

Question 3

What is the structure of the sun?

Answer 3

• Core: Where nuclear fusion occurs
• Photosphere: Region that emits the most light (Sun’s surface)
• Radiation Zone: Radiates heat from the core to the outer layers
• Chromosphere: A thick atmosphere where solar flares happen (large explosions)
• Convection Zone: Outermost layer of the Sun’s interior
• Corona: The uppermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere

Question 4

What are the sunspots?

Answer 4

Sunspots are cooler, darker regions on the Sun’s surface where local magnetic fields push away hot material from the photosphere.

Question 5

What are Solar Prominences?

Answer 5

• Large sheets of flaming hydrogen
• Held to the corona by the Sun’s magnetic field at sunspots
• Can burst outward from the Sun at great speeds
• Can reach a height of 500,000 km

Question 6

What are Solar Flares?

Answer 6

• A sudden explosion of energy from the sun is called a solar flare.
• They release a lot of radiation into space which travels towards Earth
• The radiation it releases can interfere with radio communications on Earth.

Question 7

What does the sun emit?

Answer 7

The sun emits electromagnetic radiation
that travels at the speed of light,

Question 8

What are some things related to Sun’s rays?

Answer 8

• The sun emits charged particles called solar wind.
• The Earth is protected from these solar winds by its magnetic field.
• When charged particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they interact with gases and cause the particles to glow. This glowing light is called an aurora.

Question 9

What are the Aurora Borealis?

Answer 9

• This light is most visible at the Earth’s poles
• It is known as Aurora Borealis (shimmering northern lights) and Aurora Australis (southern lights).

Question 10

What is the Sun’s fate?

Answer 10

• Once all of the hydrogen is used up there will not be any more energy.
• The Sun has been active for 4.6 billion years and it is estimated that it will continue to produce energy for another 5 billion years.