Sun and Electromagnetic Spectrum Lesson

The Sun

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

Nuclear fusion of Helium and Hydrogen occurs in the ________.

• mantle of Earth
• atmosphere of Mars
• core of stars
• ocean floor

Multiple Choice

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

• Carbon
• Helium
• Oxygen
• Nitrogen

Multiple Choice

The _____________extends 7 million Km from the surface of the Sun. This is the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere. It is significantly hotter than the surface. It is visible during a solar eclipse.

• photosphere
• chromosphere
• umbra
• corona

WOW!

So, if the sun stopped shinning, how long would it take for us to know?

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

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.

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

Electromagnetic Spectrum

EM Waves can travel in a vacuum! Mechanical waves (sound waves) CANNOT!!!

Multiple Choice

Light is a form of

• Energy

• Reflection

• Radiation

Multiple Choice

Radio waves have the _____ frequency and _____ wavelengths.

• highest, longest

• lowest, longest

• highest, shortest

• lowest, shortest

Multiple Choice

Microwaves have the _____ frequency and _____ wavelengths.

• highest, longest

• lowest, longest

• highest, shortest

• lowest, shortest

Multiple Choice

Which of the following electromagnetic waves is given off as heat?

• Radio Waves

• Visible Light

• Infrared Rays

• Gamma Rays

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is something that infrared rays are NOT used for?

• remote controls

• keeping cafeteria food warm

• regular lightbulbs

• thermal imaging

Multiple Choice

Which section of the spectrum is the ONLY one we can see?

• X-Rays

• Gamma Rays

• Visible Light

• Ultraviolet Rays

Multiple Choice

What color has the shortest wavelength?

• red

• violet

• yellow

• orange

Multiple Choice

Ultraviolet rays are _________.

• a form of electromagnetic radiation
• a type of bird
• a type of fish
• a type of fruit

Multiple Choice

Airport security systems use __________.

• microwaves

• ultraviolet rays

• radio waves

• xrays

Multiple Choice

Gamma waves have the _____ frequency and _____ wavelengths of all electromagnetic waves.

• highest, longest

• lowest, longest

• highest, shortest

• lowest, shortest