15 Questions
Which statement best describes the structure of the Sun?
The Sun is made up of distinct layers, both inner and outer.
How many total layers make up the structure of the Sun?
Six
Which term refers to the features sometimes visible extending outward from the Sun?
Prominence
Which layers of the Sun are categorized as inner layers?
Core, Radiative zone, Convective zone
What are the two primary elements that the Sun is composed of?
Hydrogen and Helium
Which layer of the Sun is characterized by its visible light emission?
Chromosphere
What separates the layers of the Sun into inner and outer categories?
Structure
What percentage of the Sun's core is helium?
64%
Which layer of the Sun's atmosphere can be directly observed?
Photosphere
What process occurs in the core of the Sun?
Nuclear fusion
In which layer of the Sun does energy transfer occur through convection?
Convective zone
Which layer of the Sun's atmosphere extends millions of kilometers into space?
Corona
What feature of the Sun's surface is visible during total eclipses?
Sunspots
What is the temperature range of the photosphere, the deepest layer that can be directly observed?
$3,700 - 6,200$ degrees Celsius
What is the primary composition of the solar wind that flows from the Sun's corona?
Electrons, protons, and alpha particles
Study Notes
Structure of the Sun
- The Sun is composed of multiple layers, with a total of 7 layers.
Inner Layers
- The core, radiative zone, and convective zone are categorized as inner layers.
Composition of the Sun
- The Sun is primarily composed of two elements: hydrogen and helium.
Core of the Sun
- The core of the Sun is where nuclear reactions occur, and it is characterized by a helium composition of 25%.
Photosphere
- The photosphere is the layer of the Sun characterized by its visible light emission, with a temperature range of 5,500°C to 6,000°C.
Atmosphere of the Sun
- The chromosphere and corona are part of the Sun's atmosphere, with the corona being the outermost layer extending millions of kilometers into space.
- The chromosphere is the layer of the Sun's atmosphere that can be directly observed.
Energy Transfer
- Energy transfer occurs through convection in the convective zone.
Solar Wind
- The solar wind is primarily composed of electrons and protons, and it flows from the Sun's corona.
Surface Features
- Sunspots are visible on the Sun's surface during total eclipses, and solar prominences are features that sometimes extend outward from the Sun.
Learn about the layers of the Sun and its structure. Discover the different inner and outer layers that make up this essential star in our solar system.
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