Deck 10: Our Star
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Deck 10: Our Star
1
What is the only force that can overcome the repulsion between two positively charged nuclei to bind them into an atomic nucleus?
A) The strong force
B) The weak force
C) The electromagnetic force
D) The gravitational force
E) The Coriolis force
A) The strong force
B) The weak force
C) The electromagnetic force
D) The gravitational force
E) The Coriolis force
A
2
Which is closest to the temperature of the Sun's core?
A) 10,000 K
B) 100,000 K
C) 1 million K
D) 10 million K
E) 100 million K
A) 10,000 K
B) 100,000 K
C) 1 million K
D) 10 million K
E) 100 million K
D
3
By what process do nuclear power plants on the Earth generate energy?
A) nuclear fission
B) nuclear fusion
C) chemical reactions
D) converting kinetic energy into electricity
E) converting gravitational potential energy into electricity
A) nuclear fission
B) nuclear fusion
C) chemical reactions
D) converting kinetic energy into electricity
E) converting gravitational potential energy into electricity
A
4
Based on its surface temperature of 6,000 K, most photons that leave the Sun's surface lie in which region of the electromagnetic spectrum?
A) Microwave
B) Infrared
C) Visible
D) Ultraviolet
E) X-ray
A) Microwave
B) Infrared
C) Visible
D) Ultraviolet
E) X-ray
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5
How much mass does the Sun lose through nuclear fusion per second?
A) 4 tons
B) 4 million tons
C) 600 tons
D) 600 million tons
E) Nothing: mass-energy is conserved.
A) 4 tons
B) 4 million tons
C) 600 tons
D) 600 million tons
E) Nothing: mass-energy is conserved.
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6
Suppose you try to bring two protons close together. Because of the electromagnetic force, the two protons will
A) collide.
B) remain stationary.
C) attract one another.
D) repel one another.
E) join together to form a deuterium nucleus.
A) collide.
B) remain stationary.
C) attract one another.
D) repel one another.
E) join together to form a deuterium nucleus.
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7
Which of the following processes is involved in the sunspot cycle?
A) A slight gravitational contraction of the Sun
B) Small variations in the rate of nuclear energy generation in the solar interior
C) An imbalance in the operation of the solar thermostat
D) The winding of magnetic field lines due to the Sun's rotation
E) A large change in the amount of visible light emitted by the Sun
A) A slight gravitational contraction of the Sun
B) Small variations in the rate of nuclear energy generation in the solar interior
C) An imbalance in the operation of the solar thermostat
D) The winding of magnetic field lines due to the Sun's rotation
E) A large change in the amount of visible light emitted by the Sun
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8
Imagine that you are trying to stop neutrinos with a lead shield. How thick would you need to make this shield to ensure that it can stop a neutrino?
A) About one meter.
B) About 700,000 kilometers (the radius of the Sun).
C) About 150 million kilometers (the size of an astronomical unit).
D) About one light year.
E) About 14 billion light years (the size of the observable universe).
A) About one meter.
B) About 700,000 kilometers (the radius of the Sun).
C) About 150 million kilometers (the size of an astronomical unit).
D) About one light year.
E) About 14 billion light years (the size of the observable universe).
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9
Hydrogen fusion in the Sun requires a temperature (in Kelvin) of
A) thousands of degrees.
B) millions of degrees.
C) billions of degrees.
D) trillions of degrees.
E) any temperature, as long as gravity is strong enough.
A) thousands of degrees.
B) millions of degrees.
C) billions of degrees.
D) trillions of degrees.
E) any temperature, as long as gravity is strong enough.
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10
What is the solution to the solar neutrino problem?
A) The Sun is generating energy other than by nuclear fusion.
B) The Sun is generating much less energy than we think it is.
C) We did not know how to detect neutrinos.
D) Not all fusion reactions create neutrinos.
E) The electron neutrinos created in the Sun's core change into another type of neutrino that we did not detect.
A) The Sun is generating energy other than by nuclear fusion.
B) The Sun is generating much less energy than we think it is.
C) We did not know how to detect neutrinos.
D) Not all fusion reactions create neutrinos.
E) The electron neutrinos created in the Sun's core change into another type of neutrino that we did not detect.
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11
The core of the Sun is
A) at the same temperature and density as its surface.
B) at the same temperature but much denser than its surface.
C) much hotter and much denser than its surface.
D) constantly rising to the surface through convection.
E) composed of iron.
A) at the same temperature and density as its surface.
B) at the same temperature but much denser than its surface.
C) much hotter and much denser than its surface.
D) constantly rising to the surface through convection.
E) composed of iron.
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12
By what process does the Sun generate energy?
A) nuclear fission
B) nuclear fusion
C) chemical reactions
D) gravitational contraction
E) gradual expansion
A) nuclear fission
B) nuclear fusion
C) chemical reactions
D) gravitational contraction
E) gradual expansion
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13
Sunspots are cooler than the surrounding gas in the photosphere because
A) they are regions where convection carries cooler material downward.
B) strong magnetic fields slow convection and prevent hot plasma from entering the region.
C) magnetic fields trap ionized gases that absorb light.
D) there is less fusion occurring there.
E) magnetic fields lift material from the sunspot and quickly cool the material.
A) they are regions where convection carries cooler material downward.
B) strong magnetic fields slow convection and prevent hot plasma from entering the region.
C) magnetic fields trap ionized gases that absorb light.
D) there is less fusion occurring there.
E) magnetic fields lift material from the sunspot and quickly cool the material.
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14
Which of the following is the phase of matter in the Sun?
A) gas
B) plasma
C) liquid
D) solid
E) a mixture of all of the above
A) gas
B) plasma
C) liquid
D) solid
E) a mixture of all of the above
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15
At the center of the Sun, nuclear fusion converts hydrogen into
A) hydrogen compounds such as methane.
B) molecular hydrogen.
C) radiation and elements such as carbon and nitrogen.
D) radioactive elements such as uranium and plutonium.
E) helium, gamma rays, and neutrinos.
A) hydrogen compounds such as methane.
B) molecular hydrogen.
C) radiation and elements such as carbon and nitrogen.
D) radioactive elements such as uranium and plutonium.
E) helium, gamma rays, and neutrinos.
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16
Which of the following is not a method astronomers use to determine the physical conditions inside the Sun?
A) Observing X-ray images of the solar interior using satellites.
B) Building mathematical models that use the laws of physics.
C) Detecting solar neutrinos generated in the Sun's core.
D) Measuring Doppler shifts to observe solar vibrations.
E) both C and D
A) Observing X-ray images of the solar interior using satellites.
B) Building mathematical models that use the laws of physics.
C) Detecting solar neutrinos generated in the Sun's core.
D) Measuring Doppler shifts to observe solar vibrations.
E) both C and D
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17
What are coronal holes?
A) regions in the photosphere where magnetic lines gather, creating cooler areas with much less plasma
B) areas of the corona where magnetic field lines project out into space, allowing charged particles to escape and form the solar wind
C) areas in the corona that allow us to see through to the photosphere
D) tunnels in the outer layers of the Sun that allow photons to escape and form the solar wind
E) all of the above
A) regions in the photosphere where magnetic lines gather, creating cooler areas with much less plasma
B) areas of the corona where magnetic field lines project out into space, allowing charged particles to escape and form the solar wind
C) areas in the corona that allow us to see through to the photosphere
D) tunnels in the outer layers of the Sun that allow photons to escape and form the solar wind
E) all of the above
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18
Which of the following statements about the sunspot cycle is not true?
A) The number of sunspots peaks approximately every 11 years.
B) The magnetic polarity of the Sun reverses approximately every 11 years.
C) The rate of nuclear fusion in the Sun peaks about every 11 years.
D) At solar minimum, the first sunspots form at mid-latitudes on the Sun.
E) The number of solar flares peaks about every 11 years.
A) The number of sunspots peaks approximately every 11 years.
B) The magnetic polarity of the Sun reverses approximately every 11 years.
C) The rate of nuclear fusion in the Sun peaks about every 11 years.
D) At solar minimum, the first sunspots form at mid-latitudes on the Sun.
E) The number of solar flares peaks about every 11 years.
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19
Studies of solar vibrations have revealed that
A) the Sun vibrates only on the surface.
B) they are caused by processes similar to those that create earthquakes.
C) the Sun generates energy by nuclear fusion.
D) our mathematical models of the solar interior are fairly accurate.
E) neutrinos from the solar core reach the solar surface easily.
A) the Sun vibrates only on the surface.
B) they are caused by processes similar to those that create earthquakes.
C) the Sun generates energy by nuclear fusion.
D) our mathematical models of the solar interior are fairly accurate.
E) neutrinos from the solar core reach the solar surface easily.
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20
The light radiated from the Sun's surface reaches Earth in about 8 minutes. However, the energy of this light was released by fusion in the Sun's core about
A) 8 minutes ago.
B) 11 years ago.
C) several hundred years ago.
D) several thousand years ago.
E) several hundred thousand years ago.
A) 8 minutes ago.
B) 11 years ago.
C) several hundred years ago.
D) several thousand years ago.
E) several hundred thousand years ago.
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21
Briefly describe why the detection of neutrinos coming from the Sun supports the theory that the Sun generates energy by nuclear fusion.
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22
The Sun generates energy primarily by nuclear fission.
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23
Interdisciplinary Science: Significant advancements in science often occur when several separate and distinct scientific disciplines come together to address a single question. Use the search for the Sun's energy source as a case study. Outline how astronomy and physics were driven to consider new possibilities for the Sun's energy by the fields of geology and biology.
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24
Briefly explain how the Sun became hot enough for nuclear fusion.
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25
What observations characterize solar maximum?
A) The Sun becomes much brighter.
B) The Sun emits light of longer average wavelength.
C) The Sun rotates faster at its poles.
D) There are many sunspots visible on the surface of the Sun.
E) all of the above
A) The Sun becomes much brighter.
B) The Sun emits light of longer average wavelength.
C) The Sun rotates faster at its poles.
D) There are many sunspots visible on the surface of the Sun.
E) all of the above
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26
Nuclear Fusion Power Plants: The public often reacts with fear to any energy source involving the word "nuclear." Imagine that you are discussion the problem of energy generation with a friend, and you mention that nuclear fusion power plants should be investigated. Your friend expresses worry about all of the nuclear waste that would be produced. How would you explain to your friend that this fear is misplaced?
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27
The proton-proton chain converts four hydrogen nuclei into one helium nucleus plus energy.
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28
Basis for Fundamental Solar Data: Table 10.1 in your text lists all of the basic fundamental data for the Sun: its mass, radius, luminosity, rotation rate, surface temperature, and composition. Taking each of the quantities in turn, outline the basic observations and physical principles used to infer the values. When done, consider one final fact about the Sun: its core temperature is about 15 million degrees (Kelvin). What observations support this value? Do you consider the Sun's core temperature to be more or less well established than the basic data of Table 10.1? Explain.
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29
Describe two general ways we learn about the Sun's interior.
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30
What was the solar neutrino problem?
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31
What is the solar thermostat?
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32
Sunspots are cooler than the surrounding region of the Sun's surface.
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33
Energy from the core of the Sun first travels slowly through a convection zone and then much faster through the outer radiation zone.
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34
Although the Sun does not generate energy by gravitational contraction today, this energy-generation mechanism was important when the Sun was forming.
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35
Gravitational equilibrium means that the surface and the core of the Sun are at the same pressure.
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36
Nuclear power plants on Earth create energy in the same way as the Sun.
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37
The corona and chromosphere are hotter than the photosphere.
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38
Describe some of the early theories for the Sun's energy source and why they are no longer accepted as viable.
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39
The temperature of the Sun's core is about 20,000 K.
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40
The chromosphere is the layer of the Sun that we see as its visible surface.
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41
Which of the following correctly describes how the process of gravitational contraction can make a star hot?
A) When a star contracts in size, gravitational potential energy is converted to thermal energy.
B) Gravitational contraction involves nuclear fusion, which generates a lot of heat.
C) Heat is generated when gravity contracts because gravity is an inverse square law force.
D) Gravitational contraction involves the generation of heat by chemical reactions, much like the burning of coal.
A) When a star contracts in size, gravitational potential energy is converted to thermal energy.
B) Gravitational contraction involves nuclear fusion, which generates a lot of heat.
C) Heat is generated when gravity contracts because gravity is an inverse square law force.
D) Gravitational contraction involves the generation of heat by chemical reactions, much like the burning of coal.
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42
Briefly explain why sunspots are cooler than surrounding regions of the Sun, and why they look dark in photos.
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43
Order the interior layers of the Sun from the hottest to the coldest.
A) Photosphere, convection zone, core, radiation zone
B) Core, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere
C) Radiation zone, core, convection zone, photosphere
D) Photosphere, convection zone, radiation zone, core
A) Photosphere, convection zone, core, radiation zone
B) Core, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere
C) Radiation zone, core, convection zone, photosphere
D) Photosphere, convection zone, radiation zone, core
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44
All but one of the following statements describe why scientists doubt the solar sunspot cycle affects global climate. Identify which statement is irrelevant to the explanation.
A) Solar winds can affect satellite communications.
B) The solar cycle varies every 11 years; average Earth temperatures do not show an 11 year variation.
C) The variations in solar particle winds do not change the temperature of the Earth's ocean or ground.
D) Variations in solar activity affect the Sun's luminosity by a very tiny amount.
A) Solar winds can affect satellite communications.
B) The solar cycle varies every 11 years; average Earth temperatures do not show an 11 year variation.
C) The variations in solar particle winds do not change the temperature of the Earth's ocean or ground.
D) Variations in solar activity affect the Sun's luminosity by a very tiny amount.
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45
Which of the following quantities is equal to the energy per second generated by the Sun's nuclear reactions?
A) The temperature of the Sun's core
B) The temperature at the Sun's photosphere
C) The force of gravity holding the Sun together
D) The luminosity of the Sun's photosphere
A) The temperature of the Sun's core
B) The temperature at the Sun's photosphere
C) The force of gravity holding the Sun together
D) The luminosity of the Sun's photosphere
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46
Which of the following statements is an inference from a model (rather than an observation)?
A) The photosphere is made out of mainly hydrogen and helium.
B) The corona is hotter than the photosphere.
C) The photosphere emits visible light.
D) The Sun emits neutrinos.
E) The Sun's core is gradually turning hydrogen into helium.
A) The photosphere is made out of mainly hydrogen and helium.
B) The corona is hotter than the photosphere.
C) The photosphere emits visible light.
D) The Sun emits neutrinos.
E) The Sun's core is gradually turning hydrogen into helium.
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47
Briefly describe the Sun's 22 year activity cycle.
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48
How do we know how old the Sun is?
A) From ages of solar system meteorites, based on radioactive elements
B) From Newton's version of Kepler's third law and the orbits of the planets
C) From calculating its fuel supply and how fast it is using it up
D) From its speed and distance from us
A) From ages of solar system meteorites, based on radioactive elements
B) From Newton's version of Kepler's third law and the orbits of the planets
C) From calculating its fuel supply and how fast it is using it up
D) From its speed and distance from us
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49
How do we test our computer models for the interior of the Sun?
A) Sending a probe to the Sun to plunge into its interior
B) Monitoring the helium content of the surface of the Sun
C) Taking movies of the solar prominences and flares
D) Comparing model predictions to how the Sun actually vibrates
A) Sending a probe to the Sun to plunge into its interior
B) Monitoring the helium content of the surface of the Sun
C) Taking movies of the solar prominences and flares
D) Comparing model predictions to how the Sun actually vibrates
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50
What would happen if the fusion rate in the core increased but the core could not expand?
A) The Sun's core would heat and the rate of fusion would increase further.
B) The Sun's core would reach a new equilibrium, but at a cooler temperature.
C) The Sun's core would cool and the rate of fusion would decrease.
D) The Sun's core would reach a new equilibrium, but at a higher temperature.
A) The Sun's core would heat and the rate of fusion would increase further.
B) The Sun's core would reach a new equilibrium, but at a cooler temperature.
C) The Sun's core would cool and the rate of fusion would decrease.
D) The Sun's core would reach a new equilibrium, but at a higher temperature.
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51
Where in the Sun do fusion reactions happen?
A) Core and radiation zone
B) Everywhere inside the Sun
C) Only the core
A) Core and radiation zone
B) Everywhere inside the Sun
C) Only the core
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52
List at least two ways the sunspot cycle affects us on the Earth.
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53
Why isn't the Sun shrinking or expanding?
A) Because the Sun is spinning so fast, the centrifugal forces keep the surface of the Sun supported against collapse
B) Because the Sun has lived for billions of years
C) Because the Sun is solid
D) Because gas pressure balances gravity in the Sun
A) Because the Sun is spinning so fast, the centrifugal forces keep the surface of the Sun supported against collapse
B) Because the Sun has lived for billions of years
C) Because the Sun is solid
D) Because gas pressure balances gravity in the Sun
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54
Which weighs more?
A) They both weigh exactly the same.
B) Four protons
C) Two neutrons and two protons in a helium nucleus
A) They both weigh exactly the same.
B) Four protons
C) Two neutrons and two protons in a helium nucleus
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55
According to modern science, approximately how old is the Sun?
A) 4 ¹/₂ billion years
B) 25 million years
C) 10,000 years
D) 400 million years
A) 4 ¹/₂ billion years
B) 25 million years
C) 10,000 years
D) 400 million years
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56
The Sun will exhaust its nuclear fuel in about ________.
A) 5000 AD
B) 5 million years
C) 5 billion years
D) 50 billion years
A) 5000 AD
B) 5 million years
C) 5 billion years
D) 50 billion years
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57
Imagine you are plunging into the Sun, starting from Earth. Briefly describe what you will experience on your journey.
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58
What would happen in the Sun if the temperature of the core decreased?
A) The fusion rate decreases, then the core shrinks and heats.
B) The fusion rate decreases, then the core expands and heats.
C) The fusion rate increases, then the core expands and cools.
D) The fusion rate increases, then the core shrinks and heats.
A) The fusion rate decreases, then the core shrinks and heats.
B) The fusion rate decreases, then the core expands and heats.
C) The fusion rate increases, then the core expands and cools.
D) The fusion rate increases, then the core shrinks and heats.
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59
Which of the following statements about the Sun is an inference from a model, not an observation?
A) The Sun emits neutrinos.
B) The convection zone is cooler than the radiation zone.
C) The photosphere emits visible light.
D) The corona is hotter than the photosphere.
A) The Sun emits neutrinos.
B) The convection zone is cooler than the radiation zone.
C) The photosphere emits visible light.
D) The corona is hotter than the photosphere.
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60
When the temperature of the Sun's core goes down, what happens next?
A) Fusion reactions speed up, the core shrinks and cools.
B) Fusion reactions speed up, core expands and cools.
C) Fusion reactions slow down, core shrinks and heats.
D) Fusion reactions slow down, the core expands and heats.
A) Fusion reactions speed up, the core shrinks and cools.
B) Fusion reactions speed up, core expands and cools.
C) Fusion reactions slow down, core shrinks and heats.
D) Fusion reactions slow down, the core expands and heats.
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61
The fundamental nuclear reaction occurring in the core of the Sun is ________.
A) nuclear fission
B) radioactive decay
C) nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium
D) nuclear fusion of helium into carbon
A) nuclear fission
B) radioactive decay
C) nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium
D) nuclear fusion of helium into carbon
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62
When we say that the Sun is a ball of plasma, we mean that ________.
A) the Sun is made of material that acts like a liquid acts on Earth
B) the Sun is made of atoms and molecules
C) the Sun consists of gas in which many or most of the atoms are ionized (missing electrons)
D) the Sun is roughly the same color as blood
A) the Sun is made of material that acts like a liquid acts on Earth
B) the Sun is made of atoms and molecules
C) the Sun consists of gas in which many or most of the atoms are ionized (missing electrons)
D) the Sun is roughly the same color as blood
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63
What two physical processes balance each other to create the condition known as gravitational equilibrium in stars?
A) The strong force and the weak force
B) Gravitational force and outward pressure
C) Gravitational force and surface tension
D) The strong force and the electromagnetic force
A) The strong force and the weak force
B) Gravitational force and outward pressure
C) Gravitational force and surface tension
D) The strong force and the electromagnetic force
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64
The Sun's surface, as we see it with our eyes, is called the ________.
A) photosphere
B) chromosphere
C) corona
D) core
A) photosphere
B) chromosphere
C) corona
D) core
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65
How is the sunspot cycle directly relevant to us here on Earth?
A) Coronal mass ejections and other activity associated with the sunspot cycle can disrupt radio communications and knock out sensitive electronic equipment.
B) The sunspot cycle strongly influences Earth's weather.
C) The Sun's magnetic field, which plays a major role in the sunspot cycle, affects compass needles that we use on Earth.
D) The brightening and darkening of the Sun that occurs during the sunspot cycle affects plant photosynthesis here on Earth.
E) The sunspot cycle is the cause of global warming.
A) Coronal mass ejections and other activity associated with the sunspot cycle can disrupt radio communications and knock out sensitive electronic equipment.
B) The sunspot cycle strongly influences Earth's weather.
C) The Sun's magnetic field, which plays a major role in the sunspot cycle, affects compass needles that we use on Earth.
D) The brightening and darkening of the Sun that occurs during the sunspot cycle affects plant photosynthesis here on Earth.
E) The sunspot cycle is the cause of global warming.
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66
Which of the following is not a characteristic of the 11-year sunspot cycle?
A) The sunspot cycle is very steady, so that each 11-year cycle is nearly identical to every other 11-year cycle.
B) The likelihood of seeing solar prominences or solar flares is higher when sunspots are more common and lower when they are less common.
C) The Sun's entire magnetic field flip-flops with each cycle, so that the overall magnetic cycle averages 22 years.
D) The number of sunspots on the Sun at any one time gradually rises and falls, with an average of 11 years between the times when sunspots are most numerous.
A) The sunspot cycle is very steady, so that each 11-year cycle is nearly identical to every other 11-year cycle.
B) The likelihood of seeing solar prominences or solar flares is higher when sunspots are more common and lower when they are less common.
C) The Sun's entire magnetic field flip-flops with each cycle, so that the overall magnetic cycle averages 22 years.
D) The number of sunspots on the Sun at any one time gradually rises and falls, with an average of 11 years between the times when sunspots are most numerous.
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67
Energy balance in the Sun refers to a balance between ________.
A) the rate at which fusion generates energy in the Sun's core and the rate at which the Sun's surface radiates energy into space
B) the mass that the Sun loses each second and the amount of mass converted into energy each second
C) the force of gravity pulling inward and the force due to pressure pushing outward
D) the amount of energy the Sun radiates into space and the amount of energy that reaches Earth
A) the rate at which fusion generates energy in the Sun's core and the rate at which the Sun's surface radiates energy into space
B) the mass that the Sun loses each second and the amount of mass converted into energy each second
C) the force of gravity pulling inward and the force due to pressure pushing outward
D) the amount of energy the Sun radiates into space and the amount of energy that reaches Earth
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68
The proton-proton chain is ________.
A) the specific set of nuclear reactions through which the Sun fuses hydrogen into helium
B) the linkage of numerous protons into long chains
C) another name for the force that holds protons together in atomic nuclei
D) an alternative way of generating energy that is different from the fusion of hydrogen into helium
A) the specific set of nuclear reactions through which the Sun fuses hydrogen into helium
B) the linkage of numerous protons into long chains
C) another name for the force that holds protons together in atomic nuclei
D) an alternative way of generating energy that is different from the fusion of hydrogen into helium
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69
What is the Sun made of (by mass)?
A) 70% hydrogen, 28% helium, 2% other elements
B) 100% hydrogen and helium
C) 50% hydrogen, 25% helium, 25% other elements
D) 90% dark matter, 10% ordinary matter
A) 70% hydrogen, 28% helium, 2% other elements
B) 100% hydrogen and helium
C) 50% hydrogen, 25% helium, 25% other elements
D) 90% dark matter, 10% ordinary matter
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70
What happens to energy in the Sun's convection zone?
A) Energy is transported outward by the rising of hot plasma and sinking of cooler plasma.
B) Energy is produced in the convection zone by thermal radiation.
C) Energy slowly leaks outward through the radiative diffusion of photons that repeatedly bounce off ions and electrons.
D) Energy is produced in the convection zone by nuclear fusion.
A) Energy is transported outward by the rising of hot plasma and sinking of cooler plasma.
B) Energy is produced in the convection zone by thermal radiation.
C) Energy slowly leaks outward through the radiative diffusion of photons that repeatedly bounce off ions and electrons.
D) Energy is produced in the convection zone by nuclear fusion.
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71
From center outward, which of the following lists the "layers" of the Sun in the correct order?
A) Core, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona
B) Core, radiation zone, convection zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere
C) Core, convection zone, radiation zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere
D) Core, corona, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere
A) Core, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona
B) Core, radiation zone, convection zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere
C) Core, convection zone, radiation zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere
D) Core, corona, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere
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72
The overall result of the proton-proton chain is:
A) 4 H becomes 1 He + energy
B) 6 H becomes 1 He + energy
C) p + p becomes ²H + energy
D) Individual protons are joined into long chains of protons.
A) 4 H becomes 1 He + energy
B) 6 H becomes 1 He + energy
C) p + p becomes ²H + energy
D) Individual protons are joined into long chains of protons.
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73
The Sun's average surface (photosphere) temperature is about ________.
A) 5,800 K
B) 1,000,000 K
C) 1,000 K
D) 37,000 K
A) 5,800 K
B) 1,000,000 K
C) 1,000 K
D) 37,000 K
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74
The light radiated from the Sun's surface reaches Earth in about 8 minutes, but the energy of that light was released by fusion in the solar core about ________.
A) few hundred thousand years ago
B) three days ago
C) one hundred years ago
D) one thousand years ago
A) few hundred thousand years ago
B) three days ago
C) one hundred years ago
D) one thousand years ago
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75
What are the appropriate units for the Sun's luminosity?
A) Watts
B) Joules
C) Newtons
D) Kilograms
A) Watts
B) Joules
C) Newtons
D) Kilograms
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76
What is the solar wind?
A) A stream of charged particles flowing outward from the surface of the Sun
B) The uppermost layer of the Sun, lying just above the corona
C) The strong wind that blows sunspots around on the surface of the Sun
D) The wind that causes huge arcs of gas to rise above the Sun's surface
A) A stream of charged particles flowing outward from the surface of the Sun
B) The uppermost layer of the Sun, lying just above the corona
C) The strong wind that blows sunspots around on the surface of the Sun
D) The wind that causes huge arcs of gas to rise above the Sun's surface
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77
What do sunspots, solar prominences, and solar flares all have in common?
A) They are all strongly influenced by magnetic fields on the Sun.
B) They all have about the same temperature.
C) They are all shaped by the solar wind.
D) They all occur only in the Sun's photosphere.
A) They are all strongly influenced by magnetic fields on the Sun.
B) They all have about the same temperature.
C) They are all shaped by the solar wind.
D) They all occur only in the Sun's photosphere.
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78
Why are neutrinos so difficult to detect?
A) They have a tendency to pass through just about any material without any interactions.
B) They are extremely rare.
C) They have no mass.
D) No one knows: this is the essence of the "solar neutrino problem."
A) They have a tendency to pass through just about any material without any interactions.
B) They are extremely rare.
C) They have no mass.
D) No one knows: this is the essence of the "solar neutrino problem."
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79
To estimate the central temperature of the Sun, scientists ________.
A) send probes to measure the temperature
B) use hot gas to create a small Sun in a laboratory
C) monitor changes in Earth's atmosphere
D) use computer models to predict interior conditions
A) send probes to measure the temperature
B) use hot gas to create a small Sun in a laboratory
C) monitor changes in Earth's atmosphere
D) use computer models to predict interior conditions
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80
The source of energy that keeps the Sun shining today is ________.
A) nuclear fission
B) nuclear fusion
C) gravitational contraction
D) chemical reactions
A) nuclear fission
B) nuclear fusion
C) gravitational contraction
D) chemical reactions
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