Question 1

The Sun's layer that produces the energy is the

Accepted Answer

The Sun's layer that produces the energy is the solar core. It is where nuclear fusion takes place, creating helium from hydrogen and releasing an enormous amount of energy in the process. The radiative zone and convective zone are important for the transport of energy from the core to the surface, but they do not directly produce energy. Sunspots are regions on the surface of the Sun that appear darker due to a lower temperature, and do not play a role in energy production.

Question 2

A patch on the surface of the photosphere becomes about 1,300°C to 2,700°C (800°F to 1,700°F) cooler than brighter regions of the photosphere. These patches are known as ____________ because their lower temperatures make them look darker than the surrounding regions.

Accepted Answer

Sunspots are patches on the surface of the photosphere that are cooler than the surrounding areas and therefore appear darker. They are caused by magnetic activity on the surface of the Sun. Solar flares and prominences are related to larger eruptions on the Sun's surface, while solar cycles refer to the overall pattern of activity on the Sun over a period of several years.

Question 3

To distinguish among stars based on luminosity, astronomers use the ____________ scale that represents the value of a star's apparent magnitude as if the star were hypothetically placed at a distance of exactly 33 light-years from Earth.

Accepted Answer

The scale described in the question is known as the absolute magnitude scale. It represents the apparent magnitude of a star if it were placed at a standard distance of 33 light-years from Earth. This allows astronomers to compare the luminosity of stars, as opposed to simply their brightness as seen from Earth (apparent magnitude). Temperature (D) is also a factor in determining a star's luminosity, but it is not the primary factor used in this context.

Question 4

When a bright eruption of plasma shoots out of the Sun's surface, it releases a huge number of particles as well as energy in the form of x-rays and UV rays. This explosion of energy at the Sun's surface is called a

Accepted Answer

A bright eruption of plasma shooting out of the Sun's surface is a characteristic of a solar flare. Solar flares release a huge amount of particles and energy in the form of X-rays and UV rays. Sunspot refers to a dark area on the surface of the sun, and solar cycle refers to the periodic change in the Sun's magnetic field and activity over roughly an 11-year period. Solar prominence refers to a loop of plasma that extends outwards from the Sun's surface.

Question 5

Identify the three internal layers of our Sun using the figure below.

Accepted Answer

A = solar core, where nuclear fusion occurs
B = radiation zone, where energy moves through radiation
C = convection zone, where energy moves through convection (circulation of gases)

Question 6

Which is the closest star relative to Earth?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which is the closest star relative to...

Question 7

Solar flares, solar prominences, and sunspots are all

Accepted Answer

Solar flares, solar prominences, and sunspots are all different types of solar storms. Solar flares are sudden bursts of energy that occur on the surface of the Sun, while solar prominences are large, bright loops of gas that extend outward from the Sun's surface. Sunspots are areas of the Sun's surface that appear darker than the surrounding areas due to magnetic fields. All of these phenomena can cause disruptions in communication and power systems on Earth.

Question 8

The fourth state of matter where material consists almost entirely of ionized atoms circulating along with free electrons is called

Accepted Answer

The description of the fourth state of matter matches with that of plasma, which is formed when a gas is ionized by heating it to high temperatures or subjecting it to a strong electromagnetic field. In a plasma, the electrons and ions move independently, creating a highly conductive and reactive medium. Solids, liquids, and gases do not exhibit these properties.

Question 9

The measure of power for the electromagnetic energy emitted by a star in a specified amount of time is known as the star's

Accepted Answer

The measure of power for the electromagnetic energy emitted by a star is known as its luminosity. This is an important characteristic of a star and can help determine its size, age, and other properties. Absolute magnitude is a measure of the brightness of a star as seen from a standard distance of 10 parsecs, while apparent magnitude is a measure of the brightness of a star as seen from Earth. Temperature can also provide some information about a star, but it is not a measure of its power output.

Question 10

The Sun's three internal layers are

Accepted Answer

The Sun's three internal layers are the solar core, radiative zone, and convective zone. The solar core is the innermost layer where nuclear fusion occurs, generating the Sun's energy. The radiative zone is the middle layer where energy is transported by radiation. The convective zone is the outermost layer where energy is transported by convection currents.

Question 11

Astronomers describe the apparent brightness of stars using a scheme that classifies starsvisible to the naked eye using a scale divided into ____________, with 1 being the brightest and 6 being the faintest.

Accepted Answer

Apparent magnitude is the scheme used to describe the brightness of stars visible to the naked eye, and it is divided into six categories with 1 being the brightest and 6 being the faintest. Luminosity, absolute magnitude, and temperature are all different measures used in astronomy, but they are not used to classify the apparent brightness of stars on this scale.

Question 12

What mechanism is responsible for producing the energy that comes from inside the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The mechanism responsible for producing the energy that comes from inside the Sun is nuclear fusion, the process of combining atomic nuclei to produce heavier nuclei and release vast amounts of energy. At the center of the Sun, temperatures and pressures are so high that hydrogen atoms are forced to fuse into helium atoms, releasing energy in the process.

Question 13

The reaction known as the ____________ chain reaction involves the fusion of hydrogen atoms to form helium for our Sun.

Accepted Answer

The proton-proton chain reaction involves the fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium and occurs in the core of our Sun. The other options listed do not accurately describe this process.

Question 14

In the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, ____________ stars populate an area above and to the right of the ____________stars.

Accepted Answer

Red giant stars are much larger and brighter than main sequence stars, and therefore appear above and to the right of them on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Blue giant stars, while also larger and brighter than main sequence stars, appear below and to the left of them on the diagram. White dwarf stars are much smaller and cooler than main sequence stars, and appear below and to the right of them on the diagram. Subgiants are intermediate in size and brightness between main sequence and giant stars, and fall between them on the diagram.

Question 15

A photon from a dying star may have traveled millions or even billions of years since it began its journey through ____________, the Universe far beyond the limits of our solar system, to reach your eyes.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "the Universe far beyond the limits of our solar system" indicates that the correct choice is D - deep space, which refers to the vast, open regions of interstellar and intergalactic space beyond the immediate vicinity of our own planetary system.

Question 16

Which type of stars appear at the bottom of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shown below?

Accepted Answer

The stars at the bottom of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram are typically white dwarfs, which have low luminosity and high temperature. These stars have exhausted their nuclear fuel and have collapsed to a very small size.

Question 17

Outbursts of glowing gas and plasma emerging from the Sun's surface, following the magnetic field lines back to the surface, look like particularly huge arcs of plasma and are known as

Accepted Answer

The description matches that of solar prominences, which are large, bright, and arc-like features consisting of plasma and magnetic fields that extend outward from the Sun's surface. Solar flares are sudden, brief flashes of high-energy radiation, and solar bursts and hotspots are not commonly used terms in solar science.

Question 18

What are the two most abundant elements that make up the composition of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen and helium are the two most abundant elements that make up the composition of the Sun, with hydrogen accounting for about 73% of its mass and helium accounting for about 25%.

Question 19

The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shows astronomers the relationship between

Accepted Answer

The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram plots a star's luminosity against its surface temperature, usually represented by its spectral type. This allows astronomers to see the relationship between a star's temperature and how bright it is, which provides valuable information about its size, energy output, and stage of evolution.

Question 20

A square meter at the top of Earth's atmosphere, aligned perpendicular to the Sun's rays at a distance of 1 AU from the Sun, receives 1,362 watts. Researchers refer to this number, 1,362 watts/m², as the ____________ constant because it has varied by less than 0.2% over the last 400 years.

Accepted Answer

This question describes the solar constant, which is a measure of the amount of energy per unit area that is received from the Sun at the top of Earth's atmosphere. It is defined as 1,362 watts per square meter and has remained relatively constant over the last 400 years. The other answer choices (lithium, gravity, and fission) are not related to this concept.

Quiz 23: The Sun, Stars, and Deep Space