Question 1

Where in the Sun do fusion reactions happen?

Accepted Answer

A) only the core 
B) everywhere inside the Sun 
C) core and radiation zone 
A) only the core 
B) everywhere inside the Sun 
C) core and radiation zone A

Question 2

According to modern science, approximately how old is the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A) 4)5 billion years 
B) 400 million years 
C) 25 million years 
D) 10,000 years 
A) 4)5 billion years 
B) 400 million years 
C) 25 million years 
D) 10,000 years A

Question 3

Briefly describe why the detection of neutrinos coming from the Sun supports the theory that the Sun generates energy by nuclear fusion.

Accepted Answer

Laboratory experiments and theory show that fusion reactions produce neutrinos. Therefore, scientists predict that neutrinos should come from the Sun if fusion is occurring in its core. Theories predict how many and what type of neutrinos should be observed. Thus, the observations that confirm this prediction support the theory.

Question 4

The Sun's surface seethes and churns with a bubbling pattern. Why?

Accepted Answer

A) The Sun's surface is boiling. 
B) The churning is an illusion created by varying radiation, as the gas on the Sun's surface is actually quite still. 
C) We are seeing hot gas rising and cool gas falling due to the convection that occurs beneath the surface. 
D) The churning gas is being stirred up by the strong solar wind. 
A) The Sun's surface is boiling. 
B) The churning is an illusion created by varying radiation, as the gas on the Sun's surface is actually quite still. 
C) We are seeing hot gas rising and cool gas falling due to the convection that occurs beneath the surface. 
D) The churning gas is being stirred up by the strong solar wind.

Question 5

The fundamental nuclear reaction occurring in the core of the Sun is .

Accepted Answer

A) radioactive decay 
B) nuclear fission 
C) nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium 
D) nuclear fusion of helium into carbon 
A) radioactive decay 
B) nuclear fission 
C) nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium 
D) nuclear fusion of helium into carbon

Question 6

Why do sunspots appear dark?

Accepted Answer

A) They are thick clouds on the sun, blocking its light. 
B) They are regions nearly devoid of gas. 
C) They are composed of different elements than the rest of the sun. 
D) They are regions that are significantly cooler than the rest of the photosphere. 
A) They are thick clouds on the sun, blocking its light. 
B) They are regions nearly devoid of gas. 
C) They are composed of different elements than the rest of the sun. 
D) They are regions that are significantly cooler than the rest of the photosphere.

Question 7

What two physical processes balance each other to create the condition known as gravitational equilibrium in stars?

Accepted Answer

A) gravitational force and surface tension 
B) gravitational force and outward pressure 
C) the strong force and the electromagnetic force 
D) the strong force and the weak force 
A) gravitational force and surface tension 
B) gravitational force and outward pressure 
C) the strong force and the electromagnetic force 
D) the strong force and the weak force

Question 8

Nuclear Fusion Power Plants: The public often reacts with fear to any energy source involving the word "nuclear." Imagine that you are discussing the problem of energy generation with a friend, and you mention that nuclear fusion power plants should be investigated. Your friend expresses worry about all of the nuclear waste that would be produced. How would you explain to your friend that this fear is misplaced?

Accepted Answer

Certainly! When discussing nuclear fusio

Question 9

Which of the following correctly describes how the process of gravitational contraction can make a star hot?

Accepted Answer

A) Gravitational contraction involves the generation of heat by chemical reactions, much like the burning of coal. 
B) When a star contracts in size, gravitational potential energy is converted to thermal energy. 
C) Gravitational contraction involves nuclear fusion, which generates a lot of heat. 
D) Heat is generated when gravity contracts because gravity is an inverse square law force. 
A) Gravitational contraction involves the generation of heat by chemical reactions, much like the burning of coal. 
B) When a star contracts in size, gravitational potential energy is converted to thermal energy. 
C) Gravitational contraction involves nuclear fusion, which generates a lot of heat. 
D) Heat is generated when gravity contracts because gravity is an inverse square law force.

Question 10

Briefly describe the Sun's 22 year activity cycle.

Accepted Answer

The Sun's activity cycle is tied directl

Question 11

What was the solar neutrino problem?

Accepted Answer

Electron neutrinos coming from the Sun h

Question 12

By what process do nuclear power plants on the Earth generate energy?

Accepted Answer

A) converting kinetic energy into electricity 
B) nuclear fission 
C) nuclear fusion 
D) converting gravitational potential energy into electricity 
E) chemical reactions 
A) converting kinetic energy into electricity 
B) nuclear fission 
C) nuclear fusion 
D) converting gravitational potential energy into electricity 
E) chemical reactions

Question 13

The Sun generates energy primarily by nuclear fission.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Sunspots are cooler than the surrounding gas in the photosphere because

Accepted Answer

A) they are regions where convection carries cooler material downward. 
B) there is less fusion occurring there. 
C) magnetic fields lift material from the sunspot and quickly cool the material. 
D) strong magnetic fields slow convection and prevent hot plasma from entering the region. 
E) magnetic fields trap ionized gases that absorb light. 
A) they are regions where convection carries cooler material downward. 
B) there is less fusion occurring there. 
C) magnetic fields lift material from the sunspot and quickly cool the material. 
D) strong magnetic fields slow convection and prevent hot plasma from entering the region. 
E) magnetic fields trap ionized gases that absorb light.

Question 15

From center outward, which of the following lists the "layers" of the Sun in the correct order?

Accepted Answer

A) core, convection zone, radiation zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere 
B) core, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona 
C) core, corona, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere 
D) core, radiation zone, convection zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere 
A) core, convection zone, radiation zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere 
B) core, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona 
C) core, corona, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere 
D) core, radiation zone, convection zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere

Question 16

The corona and chromosphere are hotter than the photosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

What is the only force that can overcome the repulsion between two positively charged nuclei to bind them into an atomic nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A) the Coriolis force 
B) the electromagnetic force 
C) the strong force 
D) the gravitational force 
E) the weak force 
A) the Coriolis force 
B) the electromagnetic force 
C) the strong force 
D) the gravitational force 
E) the weak force

Question 18

Briefly explain why sunspots are cooler than surrounding regions of the Sun, and why they look dark in photos.

Accepted Answer

They are cooler because their strong mag

Question 19

What would happen to the core of the sun if its temperature rose slightly?

Accepted Answer

A) The rate at which fusion occurs would decrease, leading to a contraction of the core, which would in turn cause a further temperature rise. 
B) The rate at which fusion occurs would increase, leading to an expansion of the core, which would in turn cause the temperature to drop back down. 
C) The rate at which fusion occurs would increase, leading to a contraction of the core, which would in turn cause the temperature to rise even further. 
D) The rate at which fusion occurs would decrease, leading to an expansion of the core, which would in turn cause the temperature to drop back down. 
A) The rate at which fusion occurs would decrease, leading to a contraction of the core, which would in turn cause a further temperature rise. 
B) The rate at which fusion occurs would increase, leading to an expansion of the core, which would in turn cause the temperature to drop back down. 
C) The rate at which fusion occurs would increase, leading to a contraction of the core, which would in turn cause the temperature to rise even further. 
D) The rate at which fusion occurs would decrease, leading to an expansion of the core, which would in turn cause the temperature to drop back down.

Question 20

All but one of the following statements describe why scientists doubt the solar sunspot cycle affects global climate. Identify which statement is irrelevant to the explanation.

Accepted Answer

A) Solar winds can affect satellite communications. 
B) Variations in solar activity affect the Sun's luminosity by a very tiny amount. 
C) The solar cycle varies every 11 years; average Earth temperatures do not show an 11 year variation. 
D) The variations in solar particle winds do not change the temperature of the Earth's ocean or ground. 
A) Solar winds can affect satellite communications. 
B) Variations in solar activity affect the Sun's luminosity by a very tiny amount. 
C) The solar cycle varies every 11 years; average Earth temperatures do not show an 11 year variation. 
D) The variations in solar particle winds do not change the temperature of the Earth's ocean or ground.

Where in the Sun do fusion reactions happen?

According to modern science, approximately how old is the Sun?

Briefly describe why the detection of neutrinos coming from the Sun supports the theory that the Sun generates energy by nuclear fusion.

The Sun's surface seethes and churns with a bubbling pattern. Why?

The fundamental nuclear reaction occurring in the core of the Sun is .

Why do sunspots appear dark?

What two physical processes balance each other to create the condition known as gravitational equilibrium in stars?

Which of the following correctly describes how the process of gravitational contraction can make a star hot?

Briefly describe the Sun's 22 year activity cycle.

What was the solar neutrino problem?

By what process do nuclear power plants on the Earth generate energy?

The Sun generates energy primarily by nuclear fission.

Sunspots are cooler than the surrounding gas in the photosphere because

From center outward, which of the following lists the "layers" of the Sun in the correct order?

The corona and chromosphere are hotter than the photosphere.

What is the only force that can overcome the repulsion between two positively charged nuclei to bind them into an atomic nucleus?

Briefly explain why sunspots are cooler than surrounding regions of the Sun, and why they look dark in photos.

What would happen to the core of the sun if its temperature rose slightly?

All but one of the following statements describe why scientists doubt the solar sunspot cycle affects global climate. Identify which statement is irrelevant to the explanation.

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters

Exam 11: Our Star

Where in the Sun do fusion reactions happen?

According to modern science, approximately how old is the Sun?

Briefly describe why the detection of neutrinos coming from the Sun supports the theory that the Sun generates energy by nuclear fusion.

The Sun's surface seethes and churns with a bubbling pattern. Why?

The fundamental nuclear reaction occurring in the core of the Sun is .

Why do sunspots appear dark?

What two physical processes balance each other to create the condition known as gravitational equilibrium in stars?

Which of the following correctly describes how the process of gravitational contraction can make a star hot?

Briefly describe the Sun's 22 year activity cycle.

What was the solar neutrino problem?

By what process do nuclear power plants on the Earth generate energy?

The Sun generates energy primarily by nuclear fission.

Sunspots are cooler than the surrounding gas in the photosphere because

From center outward, which of the following lists the "layers" of the Sun in the correct order?

The corona and chromosphere are hotter than the photosphere.

What is the only force that can overcome the repulsion between two positively charged nuclei to bind them into an atomic nucleus?

Briefly explain why sunspots are cooler than surrounding regions of the Sun, and why they look dark in photos.

What would happen to the core of the sun if its temperature rose slightly?

All but one of the following statements describe why scientists doubt the solar sunspot cycle affects global climate. Identify which statement is irrelevant to the explanation.

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters