Unit 2 Critical Thinking Dropbox

What would you see in the Sun's chromosphere during your imaginary journey to the center of the Sun?

• A bright surface

• A red layer with flares

• A dense and hot core

• A halo

Answer explanation

In the Sun's chromosphere, you would see a red layer with flares. This layer is characterized by its reddish color and dynamic solar flares, which are bursts of energy and plasma, making it distinct from the other layers.

Which process is responsible for the Sun's energy production, and how does it differ from nuclear fission?

• Nuclear fission; it involves splitting heavy nuclei

• Nuclear fusion; it involves fusing hydrogen into helium

• Nuclear fission; it involves fusing hydrogen into helium

• Nuclear fusion; it involves splitting heavy nuclei

Answer explanation

The Sun's energy is produced through nuclear fusion, where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium, releasing energy. This differs from nuclear fission, which involves splitting heavy nuclei, not fusing them.

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Explain how the Sun's core conditions support nuclear fusion.

• The core is cold and has low pressure, allowing fusion

• The core is hot and has immense pressure, allowing fusion

• The core is hot and has low pressure, preventing fusion

• The core is cold and has immense pressure, preventing fusion

Answer explanation

The Sun's core is extremely hot (about 15 million degrees Celsius) and under immense pressure due to gravitational forces. These conditions are essential for nuclear fusion, as they allow hydrogen nuclei to overcome their repulsion and fuse together.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

What is the primary reaction occurring in the Sun's core, and what elements are involved?

• Proton-proton chain reaction; hydrogen and helium

• Carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle; carbon and oxygen

• Triple-alpha process; helium and carbon

• Neutron capture; hydrogen and lithium

Answer explanation

The primary reaction in the Sun's core is the proton-proton chain reaction, where hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium. This process releases energy, powering the Sun and is the dominant fusion mechanism in stars like ours.

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As the Sun ages and becomes a red giant, what is the expected impact on Earth?

• Earth will become colder and move away from the Sun

• Earth will be engulfed by the Sun's outer layers

• Earth will remain unaffected

• Earth will develop a new atmosphere

Answer explanation

As the Sun evolves into a red giant, its outer layers will expand significantly, likely engulfing the inner planets, including Earth. This will lead to extreme heat and ultimately the destruction of Earth's surface.

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Analyze the differences between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission in terms of energy production and element transformation.

• Fusion combines light elements; fission splits heavy elements

• Fusion splits heavy elements; fission combines light elements

• Both fusion and fission split heavy elements

• Both fusion and fission combine light elements

Answer explanation

Nuclear fusion involves combining light elements, such as hydrogen, to form heavier elements, releasing energy. In contrast, nuclear fission involves splitting heavy elements, like uranium, also releasing energy. Thus, the correct choice is: Fusion combines light elements; fission splits heavy elements.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Predict the changes in the Sun's structure as it transitions into a red giant and the subsequent effects on its energy output.

• The Sun will shrink and decrease its energy output

• The Sun will expand and increase its energy output

• The Sun will remain the same size and maintain its energy output

• The Sun will expand and decrease its energy output

Answer explanation

As the Sun transitions into a red giant, it will expand significantly due to helium fusion in its core, leading to an increase in energy output. This expansion and increased energy result in a brighter, larger star.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Evaluate the role of temperature and pressure in the Sun's core in sustaining the proton-proton chain reaction.

• Low temperature and high pressure are crucial

• High temperature and low pressure are crucial

• High temperature and high pressure are crucial

• Low temperature and low pressure are crucial

Answer explanation

High temperature (around 15 million Kelvin) and high pressure in the Sun's core are essential for overcoming the electrostatic repulsion between protons, allowing the proton-proton chain reaction to occur efficiently.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Discuss the significance of the Sun's corona and its visibility during certain solar events.

• The corona is always visible and has no significance

• The corona is visible during solar eclipses and indicates solar activity

• The corona is never visible and is insignificant

• The corona is visible during solar flares and indicates no solar activity

Answer explanation

The Sun's corona is significant as it is visible during solar eclipses, revealing solar activity. This phenomenon allows scientists to study the corona's structure and behavior, which is crucial for understanding solar dynamics.

Strategize how scientists might study the Sun's core processes without direct observation.

• By using telescopes to observe the Sun's surface

• By analyzing solar neutrinos and helioseismology data

• By sending spacecraft directly into the Sun's core

• By studying the Earth's atmosphere

Answer explanation

Scientists study the Sun's core processes indirectly by analyzing solar neutrinos, which are produced in nuclear reactions, and helioseismology data, which reveals information about the Sun's internal structure through wave patterns.