Astronomy Chapter 4 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Where is the sun located?

The sun is located in one of the spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy about three-fifths of the distance from the center to the edge of the galaxy.

Why do the sun and the moon appear the same size in the sky when the sun's diameter is four hundred times greater than the diameter of the moon?

The sizes match because the moon is 400 times closer to the earth than the sun is.

How much of the solar system's matter is in the sun?

Over 99% of all the solar system's matter is contained in the sun.

In what form of energy is most of the sun's energy emitted?

Most of the sun's energy is emitted as electromagnetic waves. Signup and view all the answers

Describe neutrinos.

Neutrinos are tiny particles of matter that travel at the speed of light and have the ability to penetrate huge thicknesses of ordinary matter, even the entire earth itself. Signup and view all the answers

List three reasons why the sun appears yellow.

The sun emits more light in the yellow portion of the spectrum; the earth's atmosphere is more transparent to yellow light than to the other colors of the spectrum; human eyes are more sensitive to yellow light. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sun made of?

The elements hydrogen and helium make up more than 98% of the sun's mass. The other 2% is a combination of trace elements and compounds. Signup and view all the answers

What is used in a modern spectroscope to separate light into its different wavelengths?

A modern spectroscope uses a diffraction grating to separate light into its different wavelengths. Signup and view all the answers

Spectroscopes can be used to indicate the amount as well as the identity of each element found in a star.

True Signup and view all the answers

Superheated, ionized matter that is neither solid, liquid, nor gas is called by what name?

Superheated, ionized matter is called plasma. Signup and view all the answers

What is the visible surface of the sun called?

The visible surface of the sun is called the photosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What causes granules?

Granules are the bumps on the surface of the sun caused by hotter plasma bubbling up from the sun's interior to the photosphere. Signup and view all the answers

Why do sunspots appear dark?

Sunspots appear dark because they are cooler areas on the sun's bright surface. Signup and view all the answers

List the two regions of a sunspot.

The dark central region is called the umbra, the lighter surrounding border is called the penumbra. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of energy seems to be specifically associated with or could even be the cause of sunspot activity?

Sunspots seem to be associated with or caused by local variations of the sun's magnetic field. Signup and view all the answers

List the two things on the earth that are most likely to be affected by sunspot activity.

Sunspot activity may affect shortwave radio communications and the weather. Signup and view all the answers

What name is given to severe storms on the sun?

Severe storms on the sun are called solar flares or coronal mass ejections (CME). Signup and view all the answers

If you were in space near Earth during a solar flare, you could be injured.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the names and relative locations of the two regions of the sun's atmosphere?

The two regions of the sun's atmosphere from the photosphere outward are the chromosphere and the corona. Signup and view all the answers

What are the cloudy features in the chromosphere that can be seen only in photographs taken using one or a few wavelengths of light?

The cloudy features are called plages. If visible in multiple wavelengths, they are called faculae. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name given to streamer-like disturbances that rise into the corona and then fall gradually back?

The disturbances are called prominences. Signup and view all the answers

List the two types of prominences.

Prominences can be either quiescent or eruptive. Signup and view all the answers

List the three regions of the sun's interior from the center outward.

The three regions of the sun's interior are the core, the radiative zone, and the convective zone. Signup and view all the answers

About how much of the sun's mass is lost through radiation and the solar wind each second?

The sun ejects about 6 million tons of radiant energy and particles per second. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Location and Composition of the Sun

The sun is situated in one of the spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy, approximately three-fifths from the center towards the edge.
Over 99% of the solar system's matter is contained within the sun.
The sun primarily consists of hydrogen and helium, which account for more than 98% of its mass, with the remaining 2% made up of trace elements and compounds.

Energy Emission

Most of the energy emitted by the sun is in the form of electromagnetic waves.
Neutrinos are small particles traveling at light speed, capable of penetrating vast amounts of matter, including the Earth.

Sun's Apparent Size and Color

Despite the sun being 400 times larger than the moon in diameter, they appear the same size due to the moon being 400 times closer to Earth.
The sun appears yellow because it emits more light in the yellow spectrum, the Earth's atmosphere is more transparent to yellow light, and human eyes are more sensitive to this color.

Surface Features of the Sun

The visible surface of the sun is known as the photosphere.
Granules on the sun's surface are formed by hot plasma rising from its interior to the photosphere.
Sunspots are cooler areas that appear dark against the brighter background of the sun’s surface; they consist of two regions: the umbra (dark center) and the penumbra (lighter outer border).

Magnetic Activity and Its Effects

Sunspot activity is associated with the sun's magnetic field variations, potentially affecting shortwave radio communications and weather patterns.
Severe solar phenomena include solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
Solar flares could cause harm to individuals in space near Earth.

Sun's Atmosphere and Structures

The two layers of the sun's atmosphere, moving outward from the photosphere, are the chromosphere and the corona.
Cloud-like features in the chromosphere, visible only in specific wavelengths, are called plages, and when visible in multiple wavelengths, they’re referred to as faculae.
Streamer-like disturbances that rise into the corona and gradually fall are known as prominences, which can be classified into quiescent or eruptive types.

Interior Structure of the Sun

The sun’s interior consists of three regions: the core, the radiative zone, and the convective zone.
Approximately 6 million tons of mass is lost from the sun every second due to radiation and solar wind activity.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key concepts covered in Chapter 4 of your astronomy course. This quiz includes flashcards about the sun's location in the Milky Way and the apparent size comparison between the sun and the moon. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of celestial relationships.