Sun and Solar Physics Exam Worksheet

Which of the following is the phase of matter in the interior of the Sun?

• plasma

• gas

• solid

• liquid

• a mixture of all of the above

What is the approximate temperature of the Sun's core?

• 1 million K

• 5,800 K

• 150 million K

• 10,000 K

• 15 million K

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

The core of the Sun is

• much hotter and much denser than its surface.

• at the same temperature and density as its surface.

• constantly rising to the surface through convection.

• composed of iron.

• at the same temperature but much denser than its surface.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Why do sunspots appear dark?

• They are regions that do not emit any radiation.

• They are regions nearly devoid of gas.

• They are composed of different elements than the rest of the sun.

• They are regions that are significantly cooler than the rest of the photosphere.

Which of the following processes is involved in the sunspot cycle?

• small variations in the rate of nuclear energy generation in the solar interior

• an imbalance in the operation of the solar thermostat

• the winding up of magnetic field lines inside the Sun due to its differential rotation

• a large change in the amount of visible light emitted by the Sun

• a slight gravitational contraction of the Sun

Nuclear power plants on Earth create energy in the same way as the Sun.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Although the Sun does not generate energy by gravitational contraction today, this energy-generation mechanism was important when the Sun was forming.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Gravitational equilibrium means that the surface and the core of the Sun are at the same pressure.

• True

• False

The corona and chromosphere are hotter than the photosphere.

• True

• False

The proton-proton chain converts four hydrogen nuclei into one helium nucleus plus energy.

• True

• False: It converts two hydrogen nuclei into one helium nucleus plus energy.

• False: It converts four helium nuclei into one hydrogen nucleus plus energy.

• False: It converts four hydrogen nuclei into two helium nuclei plus energy.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8