How the Sun Works

One layer of the sun has a temperature of 15,000,000 oC. Here, the high temperature caused by crushing gravity causes hydrogen nuclei to fuse, forming helium nuclei. In which layer of the sun does this process take place?

• convection zone

• core

• photosphere

• radiative zone

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

The sun generates energy by nuclear fusion. Which of these choices best describes what happens during the process of nuclear fusion in the sun?

• Gas atoms lose electrons to become smaller atoms.

• Helium is fused to form carbon.

• Dark spots form on the sun’s surface.

• Atomic nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

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NGSS.HS-PS1-8

A satellite took x-ray pictures of a solar flare. How did the solar flare most likely appear on the x-ray pictures?

• as a dark spot

• as a swirl of red flames

• as a flamelike projection

• as an area of bright white light

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Gas flows outward from the corona and forms the __________.

• sunspot

• aurora

• solar wind

• solar flare

Which term best describes the movement of matter due to temperature differences in the sun?

• conduction

• convection

• radiation

• nuclear fusion

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What is the major difference between fission and fusion?

• fission builds larger elements and fusion breaks down elements

• fusion builds larger elements and fission breaks down elements

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Which process generates the energy that is released by our Sun?

• Nuclear fusion

• Thermal conduction

• Chemical combustion

• Radioactive decay

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Which statement is true about the energy produced within our Sun?

• The energy is made through chemical combustion of hydrogen gas that will last 50,000 years.

• The energy is made through the nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms that will last 50,000 years

• The energy is made through chemical combustion of hydrogen gas that will last 10 billion years

• The energy is made through nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms that will last about 10 billion years

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

What "fuel" do stars use?

• Oxygen

• Carbon

• Hydrogen

• Iron

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Most stars, like our Sun, are made primarily of which TWO elements?

• H and O

• H and He

• C and H

• O and He

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1