Properties of Sun and Stars

Which of the following lists the layers of the Sun in the correct order?

• photosphere, chromosphere, radiation zone, convection zone, core

• chromosphere, photosphere, convection zone, radiation zone, core

• photosphere, chromosphere, convection zone, radiation zone, core

• chromosphere, photosphere, radiation zone, convection zone, core

Solar prominences are caused by the magnetic fields and electrical currents in the Sun. The diagram below shows a cross-section of the Sun.

Four features are labeled X through Z. Which feature is the solar prominence?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

If the Sun were the size of a small exercise ball (about one-half meter in diameter) and if Jupiter were the size of a golf ball, how big would Earth be on this scale?

• The size of a hot-air balloon, because Earth is larger than the Sun.

• The size of a golf ball, because Earth is about the same size as Jupiter.

• The size of a baseball, because Earth is larger than Jupiter.

• The size of a pea, because Earth is smaller than Jupiter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which statement best explains why the Sun is the only star that affects Earth?

• The Sun burns hotter than other stars.

• The Sun is closer than other stars.

• The Sun is older than other stars

• The Sun is larger than other stars.

The colors of various main sequence stars are shown below.

STAR APPEARANCES

Star Color

Achernar Blue

Altair White

Barnard's Star Red

Sun Yellow

Which list correctly ranks these stars in order of increasing temperature?

• Barnard's Star, Sun, Altair, Achernar

• Achernar, Altair, Sun, Barnard's Star

• Sun, Achernar, Altair, Barnard's Star

• Sun, Barnard's Star, Altair, Achernar

Which physical property is the brightness of a star as seen from Earth?

• Color

• Radiation Zone

• Apparent magnitude

• Temperature

Galileo was the first astronomer to study phenomena that appear as dark areas on the surface of the Sun. Modern scientists have found that these phenomena often occur in groups and are associated with intense magnetic fields. They can last many days and reach maximum activity over an 11-year cycle.

Which event should scientists study with models to better understand these phenomena on the surface of the Sun?

• Auroras

• Flares

• Sunspots

• Prominences

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Scientists use models of the Sun to better understand how it works. The currently accepted model of the Sun indicates that it has a dense core surrounded by different layers. How is energy transferred from the core of the Sun to its outer layers?

• Energy is carried out from the core by convection first, then radiated to the outer layers.

• Energy radiates outward form the core as visible light.

• Energy is carried inward form the outer layers by convection.

• Energy is radiates out from the core first, then carried to the outer layers by convection.

Scientists have modeled the behavior of the Sun for many years. In some models, the part of the Sun near the equator rotates more quickly than other parts of the Sun. This causes the magnetic field to “tangle.” Sometimes, these tangles lift extra energy to the surface in an explosive event that releases solar material into space. Which solar event is explained by this model?

• Auroras

• Flares

• Prominences

• Sunspots

Which properties would be most useful for the classification of a star recently discovered by an astronomer?

• apparent magnitude, temperature, distance from the Milky Way, and presence of dark spots

• apparent magnitude, temperature, luminosity or absolute brightness, and size

• temperature, size comparison to our sun, solar flare activity, and luminosity

• temperature, solar flare activity, number of surrounding planets, and size