Sun Study Guide

The most common element in the Sun is _____.

• hydrogen

• helium

• oxygen

• iron

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

The hottest zone in the Sun is

• the core

• the radiative zone

• the convective zone

• that new club that opened down the street with the awesome DJ

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Solar wind particles can be captured by the Earth's magnetosphere. When these particles spiral down along the magnetic field into the atmosphere, they are responsible for

• aurorae (northern and southern lights)

• tropical storms (regions of rapidly rotating air)

• aliens

• the poor quality of television programming in the world's northern hemisphere

Space weather caused by the Sun, like the Carrington Event, can have many serious effects on or near the Earth. Which of the following is NOT one of these effects?

• disrupting the electronics of satellites

• causing power surges and power outages in parts of the Earth near the poles

• causing huge cyclones around the equator of the Earth

• exposing astronauts to increased amounts of radiation

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Today we realize that the source of energy for the Sun is a process called

• nuclear fusion

• radioactive decay

• burning

• dilithium crystal modulation

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Where in the Sun does fusion of hydrogen occur?

• only in the core

• pretty much throughout the entire body of the Sun

• only in the outer layers

• only in the radiative zone

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Who pays the bill for the energy generated by nuclear fusion in the Sun?  In other words, where does the energy pouring out of the Sun COME FROM ultimately?

• the Sun is spinning more slowly as time goes on; rotation energy is lost

• heavy atoms are breaking apart into lighter atoms

• a little bit of mass is lost in each fusion reaction and is turned into energy (the Sun is losing mass)

• material (like meteorites) is falling into the Sun and being vaporized to produce energy

• American taxpayers pay this bill

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

When energy is first produced by fusion deep in the core of the star, that energy moves outward mostly by what process?

• convection

• radiation

• conduction

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Our Sun will stop fusing lighter atoms into heavier atoms when it starts producing which element, according to this graph?

• Hydrogen (H)

• Helium (He)

• Oxygen (O)

• Iron (Fe)

• Uranium (U)

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

The Sun is not rapidly growing or shrinking in size, and the inward pull of gravity is countered by the outward push of energy production and heat.  This state of balance is called

• metastability

• hydrostatic equilibrium

• stalemate

• freshmate

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1