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Questions and Answers
How long do we have to prepare when a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is sent toward Earth at 1000 km/s, 1.5x10^8 km away?
How long do we have to prepare when a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is sent toward Earth at 1000 km/s, 1.5x10^8 km away?
The Sun's activity level rises and falls every 15 years.
The Sun's activity level rises and falls every 15 years.
False
What are the three types of energetic events associated with active regions in the photosphere?
What are the three types of energetic events associated with active regions in the photosphere?
Prominences, Flares, Coronal Mass Ejections
What causes Coronal Mass Ejections?
What causes Coronal Mass Ejections?
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What is the Zeeman Effect?
What is the Zeeman Effect?
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The photosphere is threaded by evolving ______ fields.
The photosphere is threaded by evolving ______ fields.
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Study Notes
Flowing Charges Create Magnetism
- Moving charges create magnetic fields, causing a compass needle to deflect.
- The Sun has a magnetic field due to the presence of flowing charged matter.
The Zeeman Effect: Evidence for Magnetism
- Energy levels of atoms are quantized and can split into two close energies in the presence of a magnetic field.
- Spectroscopy of sunspot regions shows this splitting, providing evidence for the Sun's magnetic field.
The Sun's Magnetic Field
- The Sun's magnetic field is complex and constantly changing.
- Active regions on the photosphere are associated with three types of energetic events: prominences, flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
Prominences
- Prominences are loops of hot gas that emerge above the photosphere, considered relatively tame.
Flares
- Flares are powerful explosions resulting from the rapid release of energy stored in magnetic fields, like snapping a rubber band.
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)
- CMEs are outbursts of hot material ejected from the Sun at high speeds, posing a significant concern.
- CMEs travel towards Earth at speeds of 500-1000 km/s.
CME Impact on Earth
- CMEs can induce voltage in electrical systems, potentially causing damage to transformers.
- They heat up the Earth's atmosphere, increasing drag on satellites and disrupting their orbits.
- CMEs also interfere with radio communications, create static charge on satellites, and threaten astronauts.
Solar Corona
- The solar corona is the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere.
- It is visible during eclipses, but can also be captured using specialized instruments like the SDO.
Solar Activity Cycle
- The Sun's activity level rises and falls on a cycle of 9-11 years.
- During this cycle, the Sun's overall brightness can change by 0.1%.
Takeaways
- The Sun's structure consists of the core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere, and corona.
- The Sun's powerful magnetic field creates sunspots, flares, and coronal mass ejections.
Response Card Question Answer
- The correct answer is D. Magnetic activity occurring near sunspots.
- Coronal Mass Ejections are driven by the release of energy stored in magnetic fields near sunspots.
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Description
This quiz explores the relationship between flowing charges and magnetism, focusing on the Sun's magnetic field and its energetic phenomena. Topics include the Zeeman Effect, prominences, flares, and coronal mass ejections. Test your knowledge on how these elements reveal the dynamic nature of solar magnetism.
