Questions and Answers
What is the center of the sun called?
What process occurs in the core of the sun that releases energy?
Fusion
The radiative zone is where fusion occurs.
False
How does energy move in the convection zone?
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What is the layer of the sun that is visible in photographs?
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What color light does the chromosphere give off?
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What is the outermost layer of the sun called?
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The corona is cooler than the photosphere.
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The layer that takes about eight minutes for light to reach Earth is the ______.
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Study Notes
Core
- The sun's center, characterized by extremely dense gas.
- Temperatures reach approximately 15 million degrees Celsius.
- Fusion occurs as hydrogen atoms collide and form helium, releasing energy.
- Energy generated in the core travels outward primarily through radiation.
Radiative Zone
- This thick layer surrounds the core, where energy moves via radiation.
- Despite being very hot and dense, the conditions do not allow fusion to take place.
Convection Zone
- Energy is primarily transferred by convection within this layer.
- Convection involves the movement of heated gas, with rising currents transporting energy toward the sun's surface.
Photosphere
- The photosphere is the layer from which visible light radiates into space, reaching Earth in about eight minutes.
- Often referred to as the "sun's surface," it is the layer seen in photographs.
- Convection currents beneath create a bumpy texture, influencing its appearance.
Chromosphere
- The chromosphere is a thin, middle layer of the sun's atmosphere.
- Emitting a pinkish light, it is situated above the photosphere and below the corona.
Corona
- The outermost layer of the sun, known as the corona, extends several million kilometers outward.
- Both the chromosphere and corona are significantly hotter than the photosphere.
- Their low densities make them visible only during a total solar eclipse.
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Description
Discover the different layers of the sun through these flashcards. Learn about the core and the radiative zone, along with their unique characteristics and functions. Perfect for anyone interested in astronomy or solar science.
