CHAP 15 and 16

The most common element in the Sun is

Hydrogen

Which statement about the Sun's rotation is TRUE?

The Sun rotates at different rates at different latitudes on the Sun

Which of the following statements about the Sun's photosphere is NOT TRUE?

The photosphere is significantly hotter than all the layers of the Sun beneath it (further inward)

Which of the following, produced at the core of the Sun, will take the shortest time to emerge from the Sun's photosphere (surface)?

a neutrino

Solar wind particles can be captured by the Earth's magnetosphere. When these particles spiral down along the magnetic field into the atmosphere, they are responsible for:

aurorae (northern and southern lights)

The Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG) Project is engaged in:

measuring the pulsations of the Sun from stations around the world

Today we realize that the source of energy for the Sun is a process called

nuclear fusion

Where in the Sun does fusion of hydrogen occur?

only in the core

A college friend of yours who has been postponing taking any science courses hears you talking about the generation of nuclear energy in the Sun and makes the following observation: "The whole idea of the atomic nucleus is pretty ridiculous. If an oxygen nucleus consists of eight protons and eight neutrons, the charge on that nucleus is positive. Since even I learned in high school that like charges repel, such a nucleus would find all its positive protons repelling and quickly fall apart." How would you answer his argument?

the nuclear force, which is attractive over short distances like the nucleus, and stronger than electricity, holds the nucleus together

How do astronomers know how strong the magnetic field of the Sun is?

they measure the Zeeman effect (the splitting of spectral lines)