The Sun

Question 1

What is the layer of the sun that produces sun’s energy through nuclear fusion which joins hydrogen atoms to form helium atoms?

Answer 1

The core

Question 2

The core produces:

Answer 2

Sun’s energy through nuclear fusion which joins hydrogen atoms to form helium atoms

Question 3

What is the sun’s composition?

Answer 3

Core
Radiation Zone
Convection Zone

Question 4

Describe the Radiation Zone:

Answer 4

• energy produced in sun’s core moves outward through this zone
• energy is transferred mainly to electromagnetic radiation
• can take more than 100,000 years for energy to move through this zone

Question 5

Describe the Convection Zone:

Answer 5

• outermost layer

* convection currents (like those in the mantle) move throughout this zone

Question 6

What is this zone?

• energy produced in sun’s core moves outward through this zone
• energy is transferred mainly to electromagnetic radiation
• can take more than 100,000 years for energy to move through this zone

Answer 6

The Radiation Zone

Question 7

What is this zone?

• outermost layer
• convection currents (like those in the mantle) move throughout this zone

Answer 7

The Convection Zone

Question 8

Name the parts of the sun’s atmosphere:

Answer 8

Photosphere
Chromosphere
Corona

Question 9

Describe the Photosphere:

Answer 9

• inner layer
• gives off visible light
• when you look at an image of the sun, this is what you see

Question 10

Describe the Chromosphere:

Answer 10

• Middle layer

* Reddish glow around photosphere seen at start and end of total eclipse of the sun

Question 11

What is the name of this part of the sun’s atmosphere?

• inner layer
• gives off visible light
• when you look at an image of the sun, this is what you see

Answer 11

The Photosphere

Question 12

What is the name of this part of the sun’s atmosphere?

• Middle layer
• Reddish glow around photosphere seen at start and end of total eclipse of the sun

Answer 12

The Chromosphere

Question 13

Describe the Corona:

Answer 13

• outer layer
• looks like white halo around the sun during a total solar eclipse
• extends for millions of kms into space
• thins into streams of electronically charged particles called solar wind

Question 14

What is the name of this part of the sun’s atmosphere?

• outer layer
• looks like white halo around the sun during a total solar eclipse
• extends for millions of kms into space
• thins into streams of electronically charged particles called solar wind

Answer 14

The Corona

Question 15

Name the features of the sun:

Answer 15

Prominences
Solar flares
Sunspots

Question 16

What are prominences?

Answer 16

Huge reddish loops of gas that link different parts of sunspot regions

Question 17

What are solar flares?

Answer 17

Eruptions of large amounts of magnetic energy

Question 18

What are sunspots?

Answer 18

Areas of gas on the sun’s surface that are cooler than the gasses around them (making them look darker)

Question 19

Of what elements is the sun composed on its interior?

Answer 19

Hydrogen ( 1 proton) 3/4 of sun’s mass

Helium ( 2 protons ) 1/4 of sun’s mass