The Sun

The energy from the sun is created by a process called:

• nuclear fission

• nuclear fusion

• nuclear reaction

• nuclear core

Answer explanation

The energy from the sun is created by nuclear fusion, not by nuclear fission, nuclear reaction, or nuclear core.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Energy is created in the core when two _____________ atoms join together to form a ______________ atom.

• helium, hydrogen

• carbon, hydrogen

• nitrogen, helium

• hydrogen, helium

Answer explanation

Energy is created in the core when two hydrogen atoms join together to form a helium atom. This is because hydrogen fusion releases a large amount of energy.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

The middle layer of the sun's interior that contains very tightly packed gas where energy travels in waves is called the _____________.

• photosphere

• chromosphere

• radiation zone

• convection zone

Answer explanation

The middle layer of the sun's interior where energy travels in waves is called the radiation zone.

In which area of the sun does gas rise as it heats up, then fall back down as it cools?

• the core

• the radiation zone

• the convection zone

• the corona

Answer explanation

Gas rises and falls in the convection zone as it heats up and cools in the sun.

When we look at the sun, what layer are we viewing?

• photosphere

• chromosphere

• corona

• convection zone

Answer explanation

When we look at the sun, we are viewing the photosphere, which is the outermost layer visible to the naked eye.

What layer gives the sun it's reddish color during a solar eclipse?

• convection zone

• corona

• chromosphere

• photosphere

Answer explanation

During a solar eclipse, the chromosphere layer gives the sun its reddish color. The chromosphere is the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What layer of the sun's atmosphere gives the sun its "white halo" during a solar eclipse?

• chromosphere

• photosphere

• corona

• atmosphere

Answer explanation

The sun's corona is the layer that gives it a 'white halo' during a solar eclipse.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The particles of the corona extends into space for millions of kilometers and spreads into streams of electrically charged particles called:

• coronal discharge

• solar flares

• coronal ejection

• solar winds

Answer explanation

The corona particles extend into space for millions of kilometers and form streams of electrically charged particles known as solar winds.

Areas of gas on the sun's surface that are cooler than gases around them are called:

• corona

• prominences

• sunspots

• solarspots

Answer explanation

Sunspots are cooler areas on the sun's surface compared to the surrounding gases.

The number of sunspots on the sun varies in a cycle that is about how long?

• 6-8 years

• 10-11 years

• 12-15 years

• 365 days

Answer explanation

The number of sunspots on the sun varies in a cycle that lasts approximately 10-11 years.