Astronomy Practice Questions - Chapter 15

Front

What is the photosphere?

Back

The layer of the Sun primarily responsible for the emission of light that we observe.

Front

What is the sunspot cycle?

Back

A periodic cycle of approximately 11 years during which the number of sunspots increases and decreases, influencing solar activity.

Front

What are sunspots?

Back

Cooler regions on the Sun's surface with temperatures around 3800 K, compared to the surrounding 5800 K.

Front

How do sunspots affect solar flares?

Back

The sunspot cycle leads to periodic, predictable fluctuations in the amount of solar flares.

Front

What is the corona?

Back

The outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere, which is visible during a solar eclipse.

Front

What is the chromosphere?

Back

A layer of the Sun's atmosphere located above the photosphere and below the corona.

Front

What is solar wind?

Back

A stream of charged particles released from the Sun's atmosphere.

Front

What causes auroras on Earth?

Back

The interaction of solar wind particles with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.

Front

What is the relationship between sunspots and climate change?

Back

The 11-year sunspot cycles are not the primary cause of observed climate change today.

Front

What is the radiative zone?

Back

A layer of the Sun where energy is transferred outward by radiation.