Astronomy Chapter 16

The percentage (by number of atoms) of the Sun that is Hydrogen is about: Select one: A. 91%. B. 71%. C. 27%. D. 9%. E. less than 1%.

A. 91% (probably on test) (either this one or the one before it)

In the proton-proton cycle, the helium atom and neutrino have less mass than the original hydrogen. What happens to the "lost" mass? Select one: A. It is converted to energy. B. It is ejected into space. C. Conservation of mass dictates no mass can be lost. D. It is recycled back into hydrogen. E. It is transformed into electrons.

A. It is converted to energy.

By what mechanism does solar energy reach the Sun's photosphere from the layer just underneath it? Select one: A. convection B. ionization C. conduction D. differentiation E. radiation

A. convection

As the Sun rotates, an individual sunspot can be tracked across its face. From eastern to western limb, this takes about: Select one: A. two weeks. B. a month. C. a week. D. 5.5 years. E. 12 hours.

A. two weeks.

The temperature of the layer of gas that produces the visible light of the Sun is: Select one: A. 12,300 K. B. 5,800 K. C. 15 million K. D. 300,000 K. E. 3,500 K.

B. 5,800 K.

The percentage (by mass) of the Sun that is Hydrogen is about: Select one: A. 91%. B. 71%. C. 27%. D. 9%. E. less than 1%.

B. 71%. (probably on test)

While observing the Sun, you note a large number of sunspots. What can you conclude? Select one: A. The Sun is less luminous than usual. B. There are likely to be an above average number of flares and prominences. C. Earth's climate will be unusually cold. D. The Sun's rotation is slower than average. E. This is a period of low solar activity.

B. There are likely to be an above average number of flares and prominences.

A loop of gas following the magnetic field lines between sunspots' poles is: Select one: A. a coronal hole. B. a prominence. C. a coronal mass ejection. D. a ray. E. a flare.

B. a prominence.

Visible sunspots lie in the: Select one: A. radiative zone. B. granulation in the photosphere. C. transition zone. D. corona. E. chromosphere.

B. granulation in the photosphere.

The percentage (by mass) of the Sun that is helium is about: Select one: A. 91%. B. 71%. C. 27%. D. 9%. E. less than 1%.

C. 27%.

The light we see from the Sun comes from which layer? Select one: A. troposphere B. corona C. photosphere D. ionosphere E. chromosphere

C. photosphere

From inside out, which is in the correct order for the structure of the Sun? Select one: A. photosphere, radiative zone, corona B. core, convective zone, radiative zone C. radiative zone, convective zone, chromosphere D. convective zone, radiative zone, granulation E. core, chromosphere, photosphere

C. radiative zone, convective zone, chromosphere (probably on test)

The primary source of the Sun's energy is: Select one: A. gravitational collapse of the helium coreward. B. dark energy. C. the strong force fusing hydrogen into helium. D. the weak force creating energy from uranium decay. E. oxidation of carbon in the core.

C. the strong force fusing hydrogen into helium. (probably on test)

The area in the Sun's atmosphere located above the chromosphere (1,500-10,000 km) where the temperature rises dramatically is called the: Select one: A. corona. B. convection zone. C. transition zone. D. solar wind. E. photosphere.

C. transition zone.

The critical temperature the core must reach for a star to shine by fusion is: Select one: A. 5,800 K. B. 127,000 K. C. 100 million K. D. 11,000 K. E. 10 million K.

E. 10 million K. (probably on test)

On the Sun, what takes approximately 22 years to happen? Select one: A. Solar activities goes from its maximum to minimum. B. The Sun takes that time to rotate on its axis. C. The corona reaches its maximum temperature and ejects gas every 22 years. D. Solar vibrations begin every 22 years. E. The complete sunspot cycle, including magnetic field reversals.

E. The complete sunspot cycle, including magnetic field reversals. (probably on test)

Sunspots are dark splotches on the Sun. Which statement is true? Select one: A. They are solid bodies floating on the surface of the Sun. B. They are associated with areas of very low magnetic fields. C. They are hotter than the surrounding areas of the Sun. D. They are extremely cold objects, as cold as Pluto. E. They are extremely hot, but cooler than the surrounding areas of the Sun.

E. They are extremely hot, but cooler than the surrounding areas of the Sun.

How long does the sunspot cycle last, on average? Select one: A. 365.25 days B. between 25 and 35 days C. about 76 years D. about seven years E. about 11 years

E. about 11 years (probably on test)

Sunspots: Select one: A. are always found close to the Sun's poles. B. were most numerous during the Maunder Minimum. C. travel over the surface of the Sun from pole to pole. D. are relatively constant in number every year. E. come in pairs, representing the north and south magnetic fields.

E. come in pairs, representing the north and south magnetic fields. (probably on test)

The number of sunspots and their activity peak about every: Select one: A. 36 days. B. 76 years. C. six months. D. year. E. eleven years.

E. eleven years. (probably on test)

What two energy transport mechanisms, in order from outside the core to the surface, are found in the Sun? Select one: A. convection, conduction B. conduction, radiative diffusion C. radiative diffusion, conduction D. conduction, convection E. radiative diffusion, convection

E. radiative diffusion, convection

The luminosity of the Sun is a measure of: Select one: A. the energy emitted by the Sun at the photosphere. B. the energy received by the Sun at the location of Earth. C. the energy received by the Sun at any location in the solar system. D. the energy received by the Sun on Earth's surface. E. the total energy emitted by the Sun in all directions.

E. the total energy emitted by the Sun in all directions.