The Sun
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Printed: November 1, 2014
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C HAPTER
Chapter 1. The Sun
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The Sun
Lesson 24.3: True or False
Name___________________ Class______________ Date________
Write true if the statement is true or false if the statement is false.
_____ 1. The sun makes up over 99 percent of the mass of the solar system.
_____ 2. The sun’s core is made of solid rock.
_____ 3. The sun has no atmosphere.
_____ 4. The sun’s energy comes from reactions in which hydrogen changes to helium.
_____ 5. Energy travels through the radiative zone of the sun at the speed of light.
_____ 6. The part of the sun that we see shining is the convective zone.
_____ 7. The corona is the coolest layer of the sun.
_____ 8. Sunspots occur because of magnetic activity of the sun.
_____ 9. Solar wind is dangerous to spacecraft and astronauts.
_____ 10. Solar prominences are mountains on the sun’s surface.
Lesson 24.3: Critical Reading
Name___________________ Class______________ Date________
Read this passage based on the text and answer the questions that follow.
Surface Features of the Sun
The sun has many incredible surface features such as sunspots. Sunspots are relatively cool, dark areas on the sun’s
surface. Sunspots occur in an 11-year cycle. The number of sunspots begins at a minimum, gradually increases to
a maximum, and then returns to a minimum again. Sunspots form because loops of the sun’s magnetic field break
through the surface. Sunspots usually occur in pairs. The loop breaks through the surface where it comes out of the
sun. It breaks through again where it goes back into the sun. Sunspots disrupt the transfer of heat from the sun’s
lower layers.
Sometimes there is a break in a loop of the sun’s magnetic field. This creates a solar flare. Solar flares are violent
explosions that release huge amounts of energy. They emit streams of high-energy particles. The streams of particles
are called solar wind. Solar wind is dangerous to spacecraft and astronauts. Solar flares can cause damage on Earth.
They can knock out entire power grids. They can also disturb radio, satellite, and cell phone communications.
Another amazing feature of the Sun is a solar prominence. This is a glowing arch of plasma that flows along the
loop between sunspots. Solar prominences can reach thousands of kilometers into the sun’s atmosphere. They can
last from a day to several months.
Questions
1. What are sunspots? When and why do they occur?
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2. Define solar flare and solar wind.
3. What creates a solar flare? How can a solar flare affect Earth?
4. Describe solar prominences.
Lesson 24.3: Multiple Choice
Name___________________ Class______________ Date________
Circle the letter of the correct choice.
1. Most of the atoms of the sun exist as
a.
b.
c.
d.
solids.
liquids.
gases.
plasma.
2. Most of the solar system is powered by energy that originates in the sun’s
a.
b.
c.
d.
core.
corona.
photosphere.
chromosphere.
3. Energy travels through the radiative zone of the sun as particles called
a.
b.
c.
d.
photons.
protons.
plasmas.
none of the above
4. Which of the following statements about sunspots is false?
a.
b.
c.
d.
They usually occur in pairs.
They repeat in 11-year cycles.
They disrupt heat transfer in the sun.
They are storms on the sun’s surface.
5. Solar flares occur when
a.
b.
c.
d.
there is a break in a loop of the sun’s magnetic field.
solar wind causes fires to flare up on the sun’s surface.
nuclear reactions take place in the sun’s atmosphere.
matter inside the sun changes to the plasma state.
6. The hottest part of the sun is the
a.
b.
c.
d.
convection zone.
radiative zone.
corona.
core.
7. Power grids and communication systems on Earth may be disturbed by a
a.
b.
c.
d.
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sunspot.
solar flare.
solar corona.
solar fusion reaction.
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Chapter 1. The Sun
Lesson 24.3: Matching
Name___________________ Class______________ Date________
Match each definition with the correct term.
Definitions
_____ 1. relatively cool, dark area on the sun’s surface
_____ 2. superheated gas with an electrical charge
_____ 3. layer of the sun that surrounds the radiative zone
_____ 4. visible layer of the sun’s atmosphere
_____ 5. layer of the sun’s atmosphere that glows red
_____ 6. layer of the sun nearest the core
_____ 7. hottest layer of the sun’s atmosphere
Terms
a. chromosphere
b. corona
c. photosphere
d. plasma
e. convection zone
f. radiative zone
g. sunspot
Lesson 24.3: Fill in the Blank
Name___________________ Class______________ Date________
Fill in the blank with the appropriate term.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The sun is made almost entirely of the elements hydrogen and __________.
The sun’s innermost layer is called the __________.
The sun’s energy is created by nuclear __________ reactions.
__________ form when loops of the sun’s magnetic field break through the surface.
Solar __________ are violent explosions that release huge amounts of energy.
Streams of high energy particles from solar flares are called solar __________.
A solar __________ is a glowing arch where plasma flows between sunspots.
Lesson 24.3: Critical Writing
Name___________________ Class______________ Date________
Thoroughly answer the question below. Use appropriate academic vocabulary and clear and complete sentences.
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Where does the sun get its incredible energy? How does the energy travel through the sun?
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