Sun Characteristics and Solar System
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Questions and Answers

What feature of the sun's surface is characterized by jets of gas being ejected?

  • Solar flares
  • Solar prominence
  • Sunspots
  • Spicules (correct)

    • What is the primary component of the solar wind?

  • Loops of gas rising from the sun and then falling back
  • Streams of particles and energy traveling through space (correct)
  • Gas and particles traveling at speeds less than escape velocity
  • Darker markings on the surface of the sun

    • What is the approximate density of the sun compared to the Earth?

  • One fourth the density of the Earth (correct)
  • The same as the density of the Earth
  • Twice the density of the Earth
  • Four times the density of the Earth

    • How do the planets rotate on their axes?

    <p>All planets rotate in the same direction, except for Venus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the sun's rotation period?

    <p>About one month</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about the orbits of the planets?

    <p>All planets have nearly circular orbits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical duration of an individual sunspot?

    <p>1-100 days</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of the sun's rotation?

    <p>It rotates faster near the equator and slower near the poles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a solar flare?

    <p>A burst of particles and energy shot out into space</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate ratio of the sun's radius to the Earth's radius?

    <p>109:1</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about the orbits of the planets in our solar system?

    <p>All planets have nearly circular orbits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between a planet's distance from the sun and its orbital period?

    <p>The farther the planet, the longer its period</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Sun Characteristics

    • Sunspots: Darker markings on the sun's surface, lasting 1-100 days and usually appearing in groups.
    • The sun's radius is 109 times the radius of the Earth, with a density of about one fourth of Earth's due to its gaseous composition.
    • The sun's core is composed of plasma.

    Sun Surface Activity

    • Spicules: Jets of gas ejected from the sun's surface, typically found along the outline of a supergranule.
    • Solar prominence: A loop of gas rising from the sun and then falling back.

    Solar Flares and Solar Wind

    • Solar flare: A huge burst of particles and energy shot out into space at speeds greater than the escape velocity.
    • Solar wind: Streams of particles and energy traveling through space, created by solar flares.

    Motion of the Sun

    • The sun rotates on its axis about once per month, as discovered by Galileo by observing the motion of sunspots.
    • The sun's surface rotates differentially, with faster rotation near the equator and slower rotation near the poles.

    Planetary Motion

    • All planets have nearly circular orbits around the sun.
    • All planets orbit in the same direction.
    • All planets, except Venus, rotate on their axis in the same direction.
    • The period of orbit increases with the planet's distance from the sun.
    • The distances between the planets become greater as you move outward from the sun.

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    Description

    Learn about the characteristics of the sun, including sunspots, radius, and composition. Also, explore sun surface activity, solar flares, and the motion of the sun and planets.

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