The Sun

The Sun

Our next unit is about:

EES Standards from the state:

• 1. 1. 3 - Explain how the sun produces energy which is transferred to the Earth by radiation.

• 1.1.4 - Explain how incoming solar radiation makes life possible on Earth.

​The Sun - Basic Facts (this is important)

• The sun is a yellow dwarf star.

• It is powered by nuclear fusion.

• It takes 8 minutes for radiation from the sun to reach Earth.

Multiple Choice

What is the closest planet to the sun?

• Venus

• Earth

• Mercury

• Jupiter

• Burning implies combustion and fire. The sun isn't made of fire.
  
  ** The sun is made of super heated plasma (Hydrogen) that undergoes fusion.

​The sun isn't burning!

Occurs on Earth in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. Large unstable elements like uranium are broken apart to make smaller more stable elements like lead.

Nuclear Fission

Hydrogen (H+) atoms combine to form Helium (He) which releases a large amount of energy. Stars make heavier elements by further combining atoms.

Nuclear Fusion

Energy is produced through fusion

Multiple Choice

How long does it take for the light from the sun to reach the Earth?

• 8 minutes

• 8 seconds

• 8 days

• 8 years

Drag and Drop

Match the following

Occurs in nuclear power plants - ​

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Occurs in the sun - ​ ​

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Combines atoms - ​

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Splits atoms ​

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Fire = ​

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Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Combustion

Fission

Fusion

Multiple Choice

How old is the Earth?

• 4.6 billion years

• 13.7 billion years

• 4.6 million years

• 13.7 million years

Parts of the sun

Inner layers

• Core - Energy is produced from fusion.

• Radiation zone - Tightly packed gas where electromagnetic radiation travels.

• Convection zone - Hot gasses move to the outer portion, cold gasses fall back toward core.

Parts of the sun

Atmosphere

• Photosphere - gives off visible light

• Chromosphere - reddish layer only seen during an eclipse

• Corona - outer portion - gives off solar wind (electrically charged particles)

Parts of the sun

Other terms

• Sun spot - cooler portion of the photosphere

• Prominence - loop that link sunspot areas

• Solar flare - explosions of energy that increase the solar wind. Form when prominences connect.

Fill in the Blank

Hydrogen combines in the core of the sun to form _?

Match

Match the following

• where fusion happens

• light is released

• sends out solar wind

• cooler area on the surface

• explosion of energy and gas

core

photosphere

corona

sun spot

solar flare

• core

• photosphere

• corona

• sun spot

• solar flare