Question 1

Which of these statements about sunspots is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sunspots occur in regions of lower-than-average magnetic fields. 
B)  Sunspots increase and decrease in number relatively regularly. 
C)  Sunspots often occur in pairs of opposite magnetic polarity. 
D)  Sunspots are cooler than the surrounding photosphere of the Sun. 
A)  Sunspots occur in regions of lower-than-average magnetic fields. 
B)  Sunspots increase and decrease in number relatively regularly. 
C)  Sunspots often occur in pairs of opposite magnetic polarity. 
D)  Sunspots are cooler than the surrounding photosphere of the Sun.

Question 2

Which of these features appears in the spectrum of the solar corona and indicates very high gas temperatures?

Accepted Answer

A)  intense emission lines from highly ionized atoms, such as iron 
B)  bright emission from the hydrogen Balmer line, H $\alpha$ , at the red end of the spectrum 
C)  intense continuous emission in the infrared part of the spectrum 
D)  dark absorption lines from hydrogen, calcium, and iron on a continuous bright spectrum 
A)  intense emission lines from highly ionized atoms, such as iron 
B)  bright emission from the hydrogen Balmer line, H $\alpha$ , at the red end of the spectrum 
C)  intense continuous emission in the infrared part of the spectrum 
D)  dark absorption lines from hydrogen, calcium, and iron on a continuous bright spectrum

Question 3

Over the course of a typical sunspot cycle, the position of the appearance of new sunspots moves from

Accepted Answer

A)  just poleward of the equator toward 30° N and 30° S of the equator. 
B)  latitudes of about 30° to a few degrees above the equator in both hemispheres. 
C)  the poles toward 30° latitude in both hemispheres. 
D)  about 30° N latitude, across the equator, to 30° S latitude. 
A)  just poleward of the equator toward 30° N and 30° S of the equator. 
B)  latitudes of about 30° to a few degrees above the equator in both hemispheres. 
C)  the poles toward 30° latitude in both hemispheres. 
D)  about 30° N latitude, across the equator, to 30° S latitude.

Question 4

The Zeeman effect refers to the

Accepted Answer

A)  brightening of sunlight near sunspots. 
B)  shift of spectral lines because of the motion of the source of light. 
C)  splitting of spectral lines when magnetic fields are applied to atoms. 
D)  shift toward longer wavelength of spectral lines when the atoms are in a magnetic field. 
A)  brightening of sunlight near sunspots. 
B)  shift of spectral lines because of the motion of the source of light. 
C)  splitting of spectral lines when magnetic fields are applied to atoms. 
D)  shift toward longer wavelength of spectral lines when the atoms are in a magnetic field.

Question 5

What type of intensity distribution is seen across the image of the visible Sun from center to edge?

Accepted Answer

A)  image with uniform distribution except where active regions occur 
B)  image of uniform brightness right to the limb 
C)  limb darkening 
D)  limb brightening 
A)  image with uniform distribution except where active regions occur 
B)  image of uniform brightness right to the limb 
C)  limb darkening 
D)  limb brightening

Question 6

Galileo observed the phenomenon of solar rotation in the early 1600s by

Accepted Answer

A)  noting the periodic (monthly) variation of auroral disturbances, or northern lights. 
B)  watching bright regions of hydrogen gas drift across the Sun. 
C)  measuring the motion of sunspots across the solar surface. 
D)  measuring the Doppler shift of hydrogen spectral lines from the east and west limbs of the Sun. 
A)  noting the periodic (monthly) variation of auroral disturbances, or northern lights. 
B)  watching bright regions of hydrogen gas drift across the Sun. 
C)  measuring the motion of sunspots across the solar surface. 
D)  measuring the Doppler shift of hydrogen spectral lines from the east and west limbs of the Sun.

Question 7

How much longer can the Sun continue to generate energy by nuclear reactions in its core?

Accepted Answer

A)  about 5 million years 
B)  about 50 billion years 
C)  about 500,000 years 
D)  about 5 billion years 
A)  about 5 million years 
B)  about 50 billion years 
C)  about 500,000 years 
D)  about 5 billion years

Question 8

The young Sun had a core containing less helium and more hydrogen than it has now. Which of these was NOT true of the young Sun, compared with the present Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  The young Sun was less massive than the Sun is at present. 
B)  The young Sun was cooler in its core than the Sun is at present. 
C)  The young Sun was less luminous than the Sun is at present. 
D)  The young Sun had a smaller radius than the Sun does at present. 
A)  The young Sun was less massive than the Sun is at present. 
B)  The young Sun was cooler in its core than the Sun is at present. 
C)  The young Sun was less luminous than the Sun is at present. 
D)  The young Sun had a smaller radius than the Sun does at present.

Question 9

If granulation on the Sun's surface is a result of convective motion below it, with material upwelling at cell centers and returning between the cells, what is the expected temperature distribution across a granular cell?

Accepted Answer

A)  The center of the cell will be cooler than the edges. 
B)  The center of the cell will be hotter than the edges. 
C)  Alternate cell centers will be hot and cold, with the edges at an intermediate temperature. 
D)  The temperature will be uniform across the cell because the photosphere conducts heat readily. 
A)  The center of the cell will be cooler than the edges. 
B)  The center of the cell will be hotter than the edges. 
C)  Alternate cell centers will be hot and cold, with the edges at an intermediate temperature. 
D)  The temperature will be uniform across the cell because the photosphere conducts heat readily.

Question 10

How large is a typical sunspot?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is about the size of Earth. 
B)  It covers about 10% of the visible hemisphere of the Sun. 
C)  It is about the size of Australia. 
D)  It is too small to see without the aid of a powerful telescope. 
A)  It is about the size of Earth. 
B)  It covers about 10% of the visible hemisphere of the Sun. 
C)  It is about the size of Australia. 
D)  It is too small to see without the aid of a powerful telescope.

Question 11

Why is the solar corona so much hotter than the photosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  Energy is carried upward through the chromosphere by disturbed and tangled magnetic fields. 
B)  The corona absorbs light from the photosphere very efficiently. 
C)  The density of the corona is low; following the laws of thermodynamics, the product of density and temperature is a constant. 
D)  Energy is carried upward through the chromosphere by convective gas motions. 
A)  Energy is carried upward through the chromosphere by disturbed and tangled magnetic fields. 
B)  The corona absorbs light from the photosphere very efficiently. 
C)  The density of the corona is low; following the laws of thermodynamics, the product of density and temperature is a constant. 
D)  Energy is carried upward through the chromosphere by convective gas motions.

Question 12

Which of these bodies does NOT exhibit some differential rotation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Moon 
B)  Sun 
C)  Jupiter 
D)  Saturn 
A)  Moon 
B)  Sun 
C)  Jupiter 
D)  Saturn

Question 13

Many images of the chromosphere are taken through a filter that allows only specific wavelengths to pass. One reason for this is

Accepted Answer

A)  to block out all other wavelengths of light and allow through the prominent light of these wavelengths produced in the chromosphere. 
B)  to allow through the filter the background light at these specific wavelengths produced by the photosphere and thus show an effective contrast with the chromosphere. 
C)  to ensure that Earth's atmosphere does not interfere with the image. 
D)  to block out light from the corona. 
A)  to block out all other wavelengths of light and allow through the prominent light of these wavelengths produced in the chromosphere. 
B)  to allow through the filter the background light at these specific wavelengths produced by the photosphere and thus show an effective contrast with the chromosphere. 
C)  to ensure that Earth's atmosphere does not interfere with the image. 
D)  to block out light from the corona.

Question 14

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of coronal mass ejections?

Accepted Answer

A)  contribute to auroras on Earth 
B)  disrupt radio communication 
C)  are the major source of hazardous solar particles 
D)  cease entirely during the years of solar minimum 
A)  contribute to auroras on Earth 
B)  disrupt radio communication 
C)  are the major source of hazardous solar particles 
D)  cease entirely during the years of solar minimum

Question 15

What is the average length of a complete cycle of sunspots and magnetic fields on the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  22 years 
B)  7 years 
C)  4.5 years 
D)  11 years 
A)  22 years 
B)  7 years 
C)  4.5 years 
D)  11 years

Question 16

To what does the term "hydrostatic equilibrium" in the Sun refer?

Accepted Answer

A)  balance of gas pressure outward and magnetic forces inward 
B)  balance of gravity inward and gas pressure outward 
C)  creation of one helium nucleus for the "destruction" of every four hydrogen nuclei 
D)  balance of gas pressure inward and heat outward 
A)  balance of gas pressure outward and magnetic forces inward 
B)  balance of gravity inward and gas pressure outward 
C)  creation of one helium nucleus for the "destruction" of every four hydrogen nuclei 
D)  balance of gas pressure inward and heat outward

Question 17

The heliosphere is the

Accepted Answer

A)  region surrounding Earth, formed where its magnetic field repels the solar wind. 
B)  region in the solar interior within which low-frequency "5-minute" sound waves continuously bounce around. 
C)  solar atmospheric layer between the chromosphere and the corona. 
D)  protective region containing the Sun and planets created by the solar wind, which prevents penetration by much of the material from outside the solar system. 
A)  region surrounding Earth, formed where its magnetic field repels the solar wind. 
B)  region in the solar interior within which low-frequency "5-minute" sound waves continuously bounce around. 
C)  solar atmospheric layer between the chromosphere and the corona. 
D)  protective region containing the Sun and planets created by the solar wind, which prevents penetration by much of the material from outside the solar system.

Question 18

The average sunspot group on the solar surface will last for about

Accepted Answer

A)  two rotations of the Sun. 
B)  more than ten rotations of the Sun. 
C)  one day. 
D)  one-half rotation of the Sun. 
A)  two rotations of the Sun. 
B)  more than ten rotations of the Sun. 
C)  one day. 
D)  one-half rotation of the Sun.

Question 19

According to the theoretical model of the Sun shown graphically in Figure 11-23 in the text, where is the vast majority of solar energy generated?

Accepted Answer

A)  within 0.60, or 60%, of a solar radius of the Sun's center 
B)  throughout the whole Sun 
C)  within 0.25, or 25%, of a solar radius of the Sun's center 
D)  within 0.8, or 80%, of a solar radius of the Sun's center 
A)  within 0.60, or 60%, of a solar radius of the Sun's center 
B)  throughout the whole Sun 
C)  within 0.25, or 25%, of a solar radius of the Sun's center 
D)  within 0.8, or 80%, of a solar radius of the Sun's center

Question 20

What causes sunspots?

Accepted Answer

A)  Magnetic fields below the photosphere pull gas down, creating holes in the photosphere. 
B)  Differential rotation on the Sun creates vortices, or eddies, that are cooler and darker than the rest of the solar surface. 
C)  Solar flares cause the photosphere to expand and cool in the vicinity of the flare. 
D)  Magnetic fields breaking through the photosphere inhibit gas motion where the field is strong. 
A)  Magnetic fields below the photosphere pull gas down, creating holes in the photosphere. 
B)  Differential rotation on the Sun creates vortices, or eddies, that are cooler and darker than the rest of the solar surface. 
C)  Solar flares cause the photosphere to expand and cool in the vicinity of the flare. 
D)  Magnetic fields breaking through the photosphere inhibit gas motion where the field is strong.

Which of these statements about sunspots is NOT true?

Which of these features appears in the spectrum of the solar corona and indicates very high gas temperatures?

Over the course of a typical sunspot cycle, the position of the appearance of new sunspots moves from

The Zeeman effect refers to the

What type of intensity distribution is seen across the image of the visible Sun from center to edge?

Galileo observed the phenomenon of solar rotation in the early 1600s by

How much longer can the Sun continue to generate energy by nuclear reactions in its core?

The young Sun had a core containing less helium and more hydrogen than it has now. Which of these was NOT true of the young Sun, compared with the present Sun?

If granulation on the Sun's surface is a result of convective motion below it, with material upwelling at cell centers and returning between the cells, what is the expected temperature distribution across a granular cell?

How large is a typical sunspot?

Why is the solar corona so much hotter than the photosphere?

Which of these bodies does NOT exhibit some differential rotation?

Many images of the chromosphere are taken through a filter that allows only specific wavelengths to pass. One reason for this is

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of coronal mass ejections?

What is the average length of a complete cycle of sunspots and magnetic fields on the Sun?

To what does the term "hydrostatic equilibrium" in the Sun refer?

The heliosphere is the

The average sunspot group on the solar surface will last for about

According to the theoretical model of the Sun shown graphically in Figure 11-23 in the text, where is the vast majority of solar energy generated?

What causes sunspots?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

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Cosmology

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Exam 11: The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Which of these statements about sunspots is NOT true?

Which of these features appears in the spectrum of the solar corona and indicates very high gas temperatures?

Over the course of a typical sunspot cycle, the position of the appearance of new sunspots moves from

The Zeeman effect refers to the

What type of intensity distribution is seen across the image of the visible Sun from center to edge?

Galileo observed the phenomenon of solar rotation in the early 1600s by

How much longer can the Sun continue to generate energy by nuclear reactions in its core?

The young Sun had a core containing less helium and more hydrogen than it has now. Which of these was NOT true of the young Sun, compared with the present Sun?

If granulation on the Sun's surface is a result of convective motion below it, with material upwelling at cell centers and returning between the cells, what is the expected temperature distribution across a granular cell?

How large is a typical sunspot?

Why is the solar corona so much hotter than the photosphere?

Which of these bodies does NOT exhibit some differential rotation?

Many images of the chromosphere are taken through a filter that allows only specific wavelengths to pass. One reason for this is

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of coronal mass ejections?

What is the average length of a complete cycle of sunspots and magnetic fields on the Sun?

To what does the term "hydrostatic equilibrium" in the Sun refer?

The heliosphere is the

The average sunspot group on the solar surface will last for about

According to the theoretical model of the Sun shown graphically in Figure 11-23 in the text, where is the vast majority of solar energy generated?

What causes sunspots?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters