ASTRONOMY TEST REVIEW KEY: THE SUN, OUR STAR
VOCABULARY: MATCHING
E
The central part of the sun where nuclear fusion takes place
a.
Granule
G
Creates the sun’s energy by joining hydrogen atoms together to form
b.
Convection zone
Middle layer of the sun’s interior, an area of tightly packed gas
c.
Photosphere
B
Outer layer of sun’s interior
d.
Solar wind
J
Arch formed between sunspots
e.
Core
A
Grainy appearance on photosphere above convection cell
f.
Corona
C
Inner layer of sun’s atmosphere, the “surface” of the sun which gives
g.
Nuclear fusion
Sunspot
helium
I
off visible light
K
Middle layer of the sun’s atmosphere, “color sphere”
h.
F
Outer layer of the sun’s atmosphere, looks like a halo
i.
Radiation zone
D
Electrically charged particles that escape through coronal holes
j.
Prominence
H
A dark area on the sun’s photosphere produced by magnetic field and
k.
Chromosphere
cooler in temperature
FREE WRITE: NUCLEAR FUSION
Fusion is when lighter nuclei combine to form a heavier atom/nucleus
In the sun: 4 H ! 1 He + energy
Mass is converted to energy according to E = mc
2
Fusion takes place in the sun’s core, because high temperatures and pressures are needed.
•
What is the Zeeman effect used to detect? Magnetic field
•
11 years is the length of time from one maximum in the number of sunspots to the next maximum
•
Name the features of the active sun
Prominence, solar flare, coronal mass ejection, sunspot
FREE WRITE: SOLAR CYCLE
Solar cycle is tied to the sun’s magnetic activity
Can monitor place in solar cycle by number of sunspots
More sunspots = more solar activity = solar maximum
Solar cycle lasts approximately 11 years
•
The Babcock model is used to explain the magnetic properties of the sun. How do the magnetic field lines
become tangled? Differential rotation and convection
•
Consider the layers of the sun
Name the interior layers of the sun Core, radiation zone, convection zone
Name the atmospheric layers of the sun Corona, chromosphere, photosphere
In which layer does nuclear fusion take place? The core
Which layer is the “surface” of the sun? the photosphere
Which layer is the source of granulation? Convection zone
•
Describe how auroras form
Charged particles from solar flares or solar winds penetrate the magnetosphere
Attracted to the earth’s poles
Interact and excite atmospheric gases which give off photons of colored light
Label: core
corona
photosphere
sunspot
convection zone
chromosphere
prominence
radiation zone