Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Earth, Moon & Sun - The Sun
Astronomy GCSE
19
Science
10th Grade
03/25/2017

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Name 5 parts of the Sun.
Definition

1. Corona

2. Radiative and Convection Zones

3. Photosphere

4. Chromosphere

5. Corona

Term
How do astronomers observe the Rotation of the Sun?
Definition
By recording the speed of sunspots across the photosphere.
Term
What is the Rotation Period of the Sun at the Equator?
Definition
25 days.
Term
What is the Rotation Period of the Sun at the Poles?
Definition
36 days.
Term
What diagram is used to measure the pattern of Sunspots?
Definition
The Butterfly Diagram which shows an 11 year cycle of sunspots.
Term
What are Sunspots?
Definition
Areas on the photosphere of the Sun that are cooler than the surrounding area and so appear darker.
Term
How are Sunspots created?
Definition
Sunspots are caused by local changes in the Sun's magnetic field. When this field is stronger in one region, the convention abilities are diminished and so the hotter gases from below do not affect that region temporarily.Their duration may vary from several hours to months.
Term
What is the darker part of a Sunspot called?
Definition
Umbra.
Term
What is the lighter part of a Sunspot called?
Definition
Penumbra.
Term
What are Prominences?
Definition
Clouds and formations of bright gases expelled from the sun and stretch large distances from its surface. They are mistaken for flames. Magnetic forces work to often drag them back.They stretch from the chromosphere through the corona.
Term
What are Solar Flares?
Definition
Flares are violent ejections of solar material from the Sun's photosphere. Often violent eruptions or releases of gas from the Sun usually originating from Sunspot areas have been detected to emit gamma and radio radiation.
Term
What reaction takes place in the Core?
Definition

Nuclear fusion (where atomic nuclei fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy) takes place. 600 million tonnes of hydrogen are converted into 596 million tonnes of helium every second. The remaining four million tonnes gets converted into heat and light.

 

Term
What Wavelength allows astronomers to study the surface of the Sun?
Definition
H-Alpha is a specific wavelength in the visible part of the spectrum. Optical filters are attached to a telescope allowing the observer to study the sun.
Term
What temperature does Nuclear Reactions require?
Definition
10 million Kelvin.
Term
How old is the Sun considered to be?
Definition
The Sun is 5 billion years old and considered to have already used up half its hydrogen gas.
Term
What is the Suns diameter?
Definition
1.4 million km.
Term
What is an Astronomical Unit?
Definition
The mean distance from the Sun to the Earth. (150 million km = 1AU)
Term
What is -273oC (Absolute 0) in Kelvin?
Definition
0K.
Term
What is the Temperature of the Photosphere?
Definition
5800 K.
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