Exam 8: The Sun

The Maunder minimum occurred in the 17th century, which many scientists debate the labeling of that time as the "Little Ice Age". However, it occurred before the Industrial Revolution and thus, had no significant impact on the human standard of living as we know in today's society. Suppose the Sun experienced a similar period today. How would life on Earth be impacted?

The solar wind can blow past Earth with speeds as high as 1000 km/s.

Which is the correct order of the Sun's atmospheric layers, from the innermost to outermost?

The solar wind extends to the _______________ , marking an outer boundary of the Solar System.

Historical records show that there were very few sunspots from about 1645 to 1715, a phenomenon known as the _______________.

Almost all the light we receive from the Sun escapes from underneath its photosphere.

The layer above the chromosphere is the photosphere.

The most abundant gas making up the Sun's composition is _______________.

What is the approximate average temperature of the Sun's surface?

What forms of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun's emissions do we experience here on Earth? Illustrate how we know this to be the case with one practical example for each form.

Gas flows away from the Sun in the _______________, which can be considered an extension of the corona.

Which two elements are most abundant within the Sun?

Sunspots tend to occur in groups, or pairs, with the magnetic field around the pair resembling that around a bar magnet.

What is the average distance between the Sun and Earth?

The visible surface of the Sun is composed of solid matter.

Of the following parts of the Sun, which is the hottest?

What are the only four forces that can affect matter?

Consider the complete magnetic cycle of sunspot activity on the Sun. Approximately how many years is this cycle?

How is the Sun's rotation different than that of Earth's?

Which equation represents the overall nuclear fusion process of the Sun?