4.1 The Sun

Which of the following are parts of the sun?

• convective zone

• corona

• hydrosphere

• biosphere

• photosphere

What are some of the elements found in the sun? (choose ALL correct answers)

• carbon

• hydrogen

• oxygen

• nitrogen

• helium

______ are dark spots on the surface of the sun, where there are strong pockets of magnetism.

Sunspots are

• large flares of energy that loop back to the sun's surface.

• magnetic areas on the sun's surface that appear darker because they are a lower temperature than surrounding areas.

• bursts of energy that flash off the sun's surface.

corona

• outermost surface of the sun emitting light we see; outermost layer of sun's atmosphere visible only to us during solar eclipse

• visible layer of the sun emitting light we see; lowest layer of sun's atmosphere

• hottest part of the sun; produces energy through nuclear fusion

Solar flares are

• large flares of energy that loop back to the sun's surface.

• areas on the sun's surface that appear darker because they are a lower temperature than surrounding areas.

• bursts of energy that flash off the sun's surface.

photosphere

• outermost surface of the sun emitting light we see; outermost layer of sun's atmosphere visible only to us during solar eclipse

• visible layer of the sun emitting light we see; lowest layer of sun's atmosphere

• hottest part of the sun; produces energy through nuclear fusion

Prominences are

• large flares of energy that loop back to the sun's surface.

• areas on the sun's surface that appear darker because they are a lower temperature than surrounding areas.

• bursts of energy that flash off the sun's surface.

In which area of the sun does gas rise as it heats up, then fall back down as it cools?

• the core

• the radiative zone

• the convective zone

• the corona

Most of the sun’s energy is a result of

• nuclear fusion  
• nuclear fission
• atomic reactions
• coronal mass ejection