Sun's Atmosphere and Interior Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What phenomenon involves the ejection of immense quantities of coronal material into space?

  • Aurora
  • High-speed solar wind
  • Coronal mass ejection (CME) (correct)
  • Solar flare

What is the main characteristic of an active region on the Sun?

  • It has a cooler surface temperature.
  • It contains concentrated magnetic fields. (correct)
  • It produces high amounts of solar wind.
  • It is always located at the Sun's poles.

Which layer of the solar atmosphere lies immediately above the photosphere?

  • Corona
  • Granulation zone
  • Transition region
  • Chromosphere (correct)

What causes the bright lights seen in auroras?

<p>Excitation of atoms and ions in the ionosphere (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is described by the semiregular 11-year cycle of varying sunspots?

<p>Sunspot cycle (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature associated with solar flares?

<p>Ejection of solar wind (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process describes the combining of two light atomic nuclei into a heavier nucleus?

<p>Nuclear fusion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which region of the solar atmosphere does temperature rise rapidly from low to high?

<p>Transition region (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What forms after a low-mass star undergoes fusion reactions and then ceases all nuclear fusion?

<p>White dwarf (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between massive stars and the Sun during their evolution into red giants?

<p>Massive stars evolve more quickly and have a gradually starting helium fusion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event marks the end of a high-mass star's life?

<p>Supernova explosion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the majority of a high-mass star's mass during a supernova?

<p>It is expelled into the galaxy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines the birth of a main-sequence star?

<p>The beginning of hydrogen fusion reactions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the outer layers of a low-mass star form when they expand and shine?

<p>Planetary nebula (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately happens to a white dwarf over billions of years?

<p>It may turn into a black dwarf. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a supernova?

<p>The core collapse of a high-mass star followed by an outer layer expulsion. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component of a spiral galaxy is primarily associated with high-density stars?

<p>Bulge (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Population I stars compared to Population II stars?

<p>They are younger and metal-rich. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate diameter of the disk in a spiral galaxy?

<p>100,000 light-years (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which component of the Milky Way does most active star formation occur?

<p>Disk (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the spherical region that extends beyond the disk of the Milky Way called?

<p>Halo (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is characteristic of spiral galaxies?

<p>A central bulge surrounded by a disk (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is typically found in the halo of a galaxy?

<p>Old stars and globular clusters (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the Milky Way houses a massive black hole at its center?

<p>Nucleus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of a neutron star?

<p>Neutrons with very few protons and electrons (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does degeneracy pressure arise in neutron stars?

<p>From fermions being forced into higher energy states due to high density (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What observable phenomenon is associated with pulsars?

<p>Rapid and regular pulses of radiation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the rotation of a pulsar as it ages?

<p>The rotation slows down and periods increase (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the escape velocity at a black hole's event horizon?

<p>Equal to the speed of light (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a pulsar?

<p>A rotating neutron star that emits beams of particles and radiation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the mass of a neutron star compared to a proton?

<p>Around 1057 times the mass of a proton (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of a neutron star contributes to its extreme density?

<p>The compression of neutrons under intense gravity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the best evidence of stellar-mass black holes in binary star systems?

<p>Flickering X-ray emissions indicating an accretion disk. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Schwarzschild radius?

<p>The point where gravitational attraction causes irreversible collapse. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of black holes, what is meant by the term 'event horizon'?

<p>The point at which light can no longer escape a black hole. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the equivalence principle state?

<p>Gravitational effects are identical to acceleration in a local environment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during gravitational redshift?

<p>Wavelength increases as light propagates from a massive object. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an accretion disk?

<p>To allow gas and dust to orbit and fall into compact remnants. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the structure of a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way?

<p>A central bulge surrounded by rotating spiral arms. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a singularity in the context of black holes?

<p>The point of infinite density and zero volume in a black hole. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily makes up the arms of spiral galaxies?

<p>Stars, gas, and dust (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of galaxy is characterized by being shaped like spheres or ellipses?

<p>Elliptical galaxies (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What assumption is the 'standard ruler' based on when determining galaxy distances?

<p>All galaxies of the same type are the same physical size (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of elliptical galaxies?

<p>High levels of interstellar matter (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using standard candles in astronomy?

<p>To calculate distances based on known luminosity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a standard candle used in astronomical distance measurement?

<p>Cepheid variables (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which equation represents Hubble's Law?

<p>v = H_0 * d (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of galaxy does not have a distinct shape and may appear chaotic?

<p>Irregular galaxy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Solar Flare

A sudden burst of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun's surface. It's caused by the release of magnetic energy.

Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)

A giant cloud of hot plasma ejected from the Sun's corona. It travels through space at high speeds and can affect Earth.

Solar Wind

A stream of charged particles constantly flowing from the Sun, traveling throughout the solar system.

Sunspot

Darker, cooler areas on the Sun's surface. Caused by intense magnetic activity.

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Active Region

An area on the Sun where magnetic fields are concentrated. Sunspots, flares, and CMEs often occur here.

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Aurora

A colorful display of light in the sky, primarily seen in the polar regions. Created when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth's atmosphere.

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Photosphere

The visible surface of the Sun, the region from which sunlight escapes into space.

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Corona

The outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere, extending far into space.

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Main Sequence Star's Death

When all the hydrogen in a star's core is used up for fusion, it marks the end of the main sequence stage and the star's core is composed primarily of helium.

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Helium 'Ash'

The helium in a star's core is considered 'ash' because it's the byproduct of hydrogen fusion during the main sequence stage.

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Evolution of Massive Stars

Massive stars evolve similarly to the Sun but faster. They go through the same stages, eventually forming a carbon-oxygen core.

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Supergiants

Massive stars become extremely bright and large when they evolve into red giants, classified as 'supergiants.'

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Star Death

The end of a star's life is defined by the cessation of all fusion reactions in its core.

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White Dwarf

The core of a low-mass star becomes a white dwarf after its fusion reactions cease. It's a hot, dim object, about the size of Earth, incredibly dense.

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Planetary Nebula

The outer layers of a low-mass star expand and glow as a planetary nebula after its core becomes a white dwarf.

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Supernova

The death of a high-mass star is spectacular, marked by a supernova explosion, releasing immense energy.

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Supernova Remnants

After a supernova, remnants include a core of reduced mass, potentially a neutron star or black hole, plus expanding gas and dust.

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Black Hole

A region in spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape.

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Event Horizon

The boundary around a black hole where the curvature of spacetime is so extreme that nothing, not even light, can escape.

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Schwarzschild Radius

The radius below which the gravitational attraction of a collapsing object becomes so strong that it inevitably forms a black hole.

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Accretion Disk

A disk of gas and dust orbiting a compact object like a star, white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

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Gravitational Redshift

The increase in the wavelength of light as it escapes from a strong gravitational field.

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Gravitational Wave

A disturbance in the curvature of spacetime caused by the movement of massive objects.

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Singularity

The point of infinite density and zero volume at the center of a black hole.

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Equivalence Principle

The idea that the effects of gravity are indistinguishable from the effects of acceleration.

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Galactic Bulge

The central, dense, and somewhat flattened region of a spiral galaxy, containing mostly older stars and a small amount of gas and dust.

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Galactic Disk

A flat, rotating structure in spiral galaxies, containing younger and older stars, gas, and dust. Star formation primarily occurs in the disk.

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Spiral Galaxies

Galaxies with a flat, disk-like shape containing spiral arms, a central bulge, and a halo. They are made up of both young and old stars, gas, and dust.

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Galactic Halo

A large, spherical region surrounding the disk of a spiral galaxy, containing mostly old stars and globular clusters, with stars orbiting in a more random fashion.

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Elliptical Galaxies

Galaxies that appear as spheres or ellipsoids, mostly consisting of old stars with little gas and dust. They are often found in galaxy clusters.

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Irregular Galaxies

Galaxies lacking a defined shape, often appearing chaotic. They can contain both young and old stars, and sometimes have dark patches of gas and dust.

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Spiral Arms

Prominent features of spiral galaxies, containing a high density of young stars, gas, and dust, where active star formation takes place.

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Hubble's Law

States that the speed at which a galaxy is moving away from us is directly proportional to its distance from us.

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Population I Stars

Younger, metal-rich stars primarily found in the galactic disk, typically associated with active star formation.

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Hubble Constant (Ho)

A measure of the expansion rate of the universe, representing the slope of the line between a galaxy's distance and recession velocity.

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Population II Stars

Older, metal-poor stars located in the galactic halo and globular clusters, characteristic of the early universe.

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Standard Ruler

A celestial object of known size, used to estimate the distance to other galaxies by comparing its angular size.

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Galactic Nucleus

The very center of a galaxy, containing a supermassive black hole and an accretion disk of hot gas.

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Spiral Galaxy

A type of galaxy characterized by a central bulge, a rotating disk, and spiral arms, with a central bulge, rotating disk, and spiral arms. They are the most common type of galaxy in the universe.

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Main Sequence Fitting

A technique used to determine distances to star clusters by comparing their main sequences to those of clusters with known distances.

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Standard Candles

Celestial objects with a known luminosity, used to calculate distances by comparing their intrinsic brightness to their observed brightness.

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Neutron Star

A dense object composed mostly of neutrons, with incredibly strong gravity. It's basically a giant atomic nucleus.

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Pulsar

A rapidly rotating neutron star that emits beams of radiation and particles, causing us to observe pulses.

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Degeneracy Pressure

A pressure created when fermions are packed tightly together and forced into higher energy states.

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Escape Velocity

The speed needed to escape the gravitational pull of an object like a planet or a black hole.

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Study Notes

Sun's Atmosphere Composition

  • The Sun has layers beneath its visible surface including the core, radiative zone, and convective zone.
  • Surrounding these layers are the photosphere (temperature range 4500K-6800K), chromosphere (typical temperature 10,000K), a transition region (rapidly increasing temperature from 10,000K to 1,000,000K), and the corona (temperatures of a few million K).
  • The Sun's surface is marked by convection currents appearing as bright granules.

Solar Interior

  • The Sun's core is extremely dense and is the source of its energy.
  • The radiative zone transports energy from the core via radiation.
  • The convective zone transports heat outwards using convection cells.

Solar Activity and Space Weather

  • Solar activity includes phenomena like solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), high-speed solar wind, and solar energetic particles.
  • These phenomena can affect the Earth's space weather.

Vocabulary

  • Active region: An area on the Sun with concentrated magnetic fields (sunspots, prominences, flares, and CMEs).
  • Aurora: Light emitted by atoms and ions in Earth's ionosphere due to charged particles from the Sun.
  • Chromosphere: The layer of the Sun's atmosphere above the photosphere.
  • Corona: The Sun's outer atmosphere.
  • Coronal hole: A dark region in the Sun's corona with less hot gas.
  • Coronal mass ejection (CME): A solar flare with immense quantities of coronal material ejected at high speeds.
  • Differential rotation: Different parts of a rotating object rotating at different rates at different latitudes (like the Sun).
  • Granulation: The rice-grain-like structure of the solar photosphere due to upwelling currents.
  • Maunder Minimum: A period in the 17th century with a low frequency of sunspots.
  • Photosphere: The layer of the Sun where it becomes opaque, marking the boundary beyond which we cannot see.
  • Plage: A bright region of the solar surface.
  • Plasma: A hot ionized gas, a state of matter found in the Sun's interior .
  • Prominence: A large, bright feature in the Sun's atmosphere often above the surface.
  • Solar flare: A sudden outburst of electromagnetic radiation from an extended region of the Sun's surface.
  • Solar wind: A flow of hot, charged particles from the Sun.
  • Sunspot: Dark features on the Sun's surface due to increased magnetic activity.
  • Sunspot cycle: The semiregular 11-year period with fluctuating sunspot frequency.
  • Transition region: A region in the Sun's atmosphere where the temperature increases rapidly from relatively low temperatures to very high temperatures.

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Study Guide: Astronomy PDF

Description

Test your knowledge on the Sun's structure, including its atmosphere layers, core, and solar activities. This quiz covers the composition and phenomena associated with solar interior and the implications for space weather. Dive into the fascinating dynamics of our closest star!

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