Astronomy B - Unit 2: The Solar Cycle

What causes the solar cycle?

• The planets spinning around the Sun

• The warping of the Sun's magnetic field

• Jupiter's gravitational tug on the Sun

• Sunspots

What happens to the Sun's magnetic field lines over time in the solar cycle?

• They become warped and have an increased possibility of interactiving

• They spread away from each other over time

• They disappear over time

• They fly away from the Sun over time

How long is a singular solar cycle, that ends when the north and south poles flip positions?

• 15 years

• 11 years

• 22 years

• 8 years

How long is a complete solar cycle, where the north and south poles return to their original positions.

• 15 years

• 11 years

• 22 years

• 8 years

What happens just after the peak of Solar Maximum?

• The Sun gives off less energy, gravity becomes stronger

• Gravity becomes weaker, magnetic field lines twist

• Polarity begins to shift, magnetic field lines begin to return to normal

• The Sun gives off more energy, gravity becomes weaker

How can we tell whether the Sun is closer to solar minimum or solar maximum?

• By observing the brightness of the Sun

• By measuring the Sun's energy output

• By observing the amount of sunspots over time

• By measuring the gravitational strength of the Sun

If the Sun had little to no Sunspots, where in the solar cycle is it possibly at?

• solar minimum

• solar maximum

• solar mayo

• solar medium

If the Sun had 20 or more sunspots for several months, where in the solar cycle is it possibly at?

• solar minimum

• solar maximum

• solar mayo

• solar medium

As sunspots increase, the likelihood of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) _____.

• increases

• decreases

• remains the same

A glowing arch of plasma that follows a magnetic field line thousands of kilometers above the Sun's surface is known as a ______.

• solar prominence

• solar arch

• solar loop

• solar flare