The Sun

The sun converts matter into energy in the

• corona.
• radiative zone
• convection zone
• core

Auroras are frequently seen

• near the equator.
• before a sunspot cycle.
• at random intervals

• after strong solar flares and CMEs

Sunspots vary in number throughout a cycle that lasts about...

• 110 yrs
• 11,000 yrs
• 10 yrs

• 110,000 yrs

What elements make up most of the sun’s mass?

• carbon and oxygen
• carbon and hydrogen
• helium and nitrogen
• hydrogen and helium

During nuclear fusion in the sun, which of the following occurs?

• 4 helium nuclei split to produce 1 hydrogen nucleus.

• 4 helium nuclei combine to produce 1 hydrogen nucleus.

• 4 hydrogen nuclei combine to produce a 1 helium nucleus.

• 4 hydrogen nuclei split to produce a 1 helium nucleus.

What is a prominence on the sun?

• a part of the sun’s corona, a cloud of colored gas
• Plasma that arches along magnetic field lines from one sunspot to another

• a part of the convective zone, a cool area with powerful magnetic fields
• a magnetic disruption in the sun’s photosphere

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

• the core
• the radiation zone
• the convection zone
• the corona

When we look at the sun, what layer are we viewing?

• photosphere
• chromosphere
• corona
• convection zone

What layer of the sun's atmosphere gives the sun its "white halo" during a solar eclipse?

• chromosphere
• photosphere
• corona
• atmosphere

Areas on the sun's surface that are cooler than the surrounding areas and so appear darker are called....

• corona
• prominences
• sunspots
• solarspots