Question 1

The critical temperature the core must reach for a star to shine by fusion is

Accepted Answer

A)  5,800 K. 
B)  11,000 K. 
C)  127,000 K. 
D)  10 million K. 
E)  100 million K. 
A)  5,800 K. 
B)  11,000 K. 
C)  127,000 K. 
D)  10 million K. 
E)  100 million K. D

Question 2

In spite of its high temperature, we observe the solar corona best during ________.

Accepted Answer

a total solar eclipse

Question 3

In the proton-proton cycle, the positron is

Accepted Answer

A)  massless. 
B)  a spin conservation particle. 
C)  an anti-electron. 
D)  the chief means energy reaches the photosphere. 
E)  intermediate between the proton and neutron in mass. 
A)  massless. 
B)  a spin conservation particle. 
C)  an anti-electron. 
D)  the chief means energy reaches the photosphere. 
E)  intermediate between the proton and neutron in mass. C

Question 4

Neutrinos travel from the Sun's core to the Earth in

Accepted Answer

A)  millions of years. 
B)  thousands of years. 
C)  a few days. 
D)  a few hours. 
E)  a few minutes. 
A)  millions of years. 
B)  thousands of years. 
C)  a few days. 
D)  a few hours. 
E)  a few minutes.

Question 5

Sunspots are dark splotches on the Sun. Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are hotter than the surrounding areas of the Sun. 
B)  They are extremely cold objects, as cold as Pluto. 
C)  They are extremely hot, but cooler than the surrounding areas of the Sun. 
D)  They are solid bodies floating on the surface of the Sun. 
E)  They are associated with areas of very low magnetic fields. 
A)  They are hotter than the surrounding areas of the Sun. 
B)  They are extremely cold objects, as cold as Pluto. 
C)  They are extremely hot, but cooler than the surrounding areas of the Sun. 
D)  They are solid bodies floating on the surface of the Sun. 
E)  They are associated with areas of very low magnetic fields.

Question 6

By what mechanism does solar energy reach the Sun's photosphere from the layer just underneath it?

Accepted Answer

A)  Differentiation 
B)  Ionization 
C)  Radiation 
D)  Convection 
E)  Conduction 
A)  Differentiation 
B)  Ionization 
C)  Radiation 
D)  Convection 
E)  Conduction

Question 7

The pattern of rising hot gas cells all over the photosphere is called

Accepted Answer

A)  filaments. 
B)  granulation. 
C)  sunspots. 
D)  convective projections. 
E)  prominences. 
A)  filaments. 
B)  granulation. 
C)  sunspots. 
D)  convective projections. 
E)  prominences.

Question 8

Large sunspots are larger than our whole planet.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The proton-proton chain requires a temperature of 100 million K to get started.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

If the last peak in sunspot numbers occurred in 2013, then the next solar max is ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the last peak in sunspot numbers...

Question 11

Which of these are NOT associated with the active Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sunspots 
B)  Prominences 
C)  Granulation 
D)  Flares 
E)  Aurora 
A)  Sunspots 
B)  Prominences 
C)  Granulation 
D)  Flares 
E)  Aurora

Question 12

Two pairs of sunspots appear similar, but if one photo was made in 1990, and the next photo was in 2002, we would note what difference?

Accepted Answer

In the 12 years, the

Question 13

The photosphere is about 100 times the diameter of the Earth.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

If the corona is so hot, why must we wait for a total solar eclipse to glimpse it?

Accepted Answer

It is so hot that almost all the energy

Question 15

Suppose a large flare is detected optically. How long until radio interference arrives?

Accepted Answer

A)  Simultaneously 
B)  8.5 minutes later 
C)  About 12 hours 
D)  About four days 
E)  No relation between the two 
A)  Simultaneously 
B)  8.5 minutes later 
C)  About 12 hours 
D)  About four days 
E)  No relation between the two

Question 16

In the proton-proton cycle, two positrons are produced. What are they similar to, and how are the different? What happens to them?

Accepted Answer

Positrons are the antiparticle to the el

Question 17

The Sun is a fairly normal star.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

As the Sun rotates, an individual sunspot can be tracked across its face. From eastern to western limb, this takes about

Accepted Answer

A)  12 hours. 
B)  a week. 
C)  two weeks. 
D)  a month. 
E)  5.5 years. 
A)  12 hours. 
B)  a week. 
C)  two weeks. 
D)  a month. 
E)  5.5 years.

Question 19

The outward pressure of hot gas in the Sun

Accepted Answer

A)  is balanced by the inward gravitational pressure. 
B)  is increasing the Sun's diameter. 
C)  is cooling the photosphere. 
D)  is responsible for variations in the sunspot cycle. 
E)  weakens the magnetic field. 
A)  is balanced by the inward gravitational pressure. 
B)  is increasing the Sun's diameter. 
C)  is cooling the photosphere. 
D)  is responsible for variations in the sunspot cycle. 
E)  weakens the magnetic field.

Question 20

Both the gravitational and electromagnetic forces obey the inverse square law, and extend infinitely outward in their effects.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

The critical temperature the core must reach for a star to shine by fusion is

In spite of its high temperature, we observe the solar corona best during ________.

In the proton-proton cycle, the positron is

Neutrinos travel from the Sun's core to the Earth in

Sunspots are dark splotches on the Sun. Which statement is TRUE?

By what mechanism does solar energy reach the Sun's photosphere from the layer just underneath it?

The pattern of rising hot gas cells all over the photosphere is called

Large sunspots are larger than our whole planet.

The proton-proton chain requires a temperature of 100 million K to get started.

If the last peak in sunspot numbers occurred in 2013, then the next solar max is ________.

Which of these are NOT associated with the active Sun?

Two pairs of sunspots appear similar, but if one photo was made in 1990, and the next photo was in 2002, we would note what difference?

The photosphere is about 100 times the diameter of the Earth.

If the corona is so hot, why must we wait for a total solar eclipse to glimpse it?

Suppose a large flare is detected optically. How long until radio interference arrives?

In the proton-proton cycle, two positrons are produced. What are they similar to, and how are the different? What happens to them?

The Sun is a fairly normal star.

As the Sun rotates, an individual sunspot can be tracked across its face. From eastern to western limb, this takes about

The outward pressure of hot gas in the Sun

Both the gravitational and electromagnetic forces obey the inverse square law, and extend infinitely outward in their effects.

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Exam 8: The Sun

The critical temperature the core must reach for a star to shine by fusion is

In spite of its high temperature, we observe the solar corona best during ________.

In the proton-proton cycle, the positron is

Neutrinos travel from the Sun's core to the Earth in

Sunspots are dark splotches on the Sun. Which statement is TRUE?

By what mechanism does solar energy reach the Sun's photosphere from the layer just underneath it?

The pattern of rising hot gas cells all over the photosphere is called

Large sunspots are larger than our whole planet.

The proton-proton chain requires a temperature of 100 million K to get started.

If the last peak in sunspot numbers occurred in 2013, then the next solar max is ________.

Which of these are NOT associated with the active Sun?

Two pairs of sunspots appear similar, but if one photo was made in 1990, and the next photo was in 2002, we would note what difference?

The photosphere is about 100 times the diameter of the Earth.

If the corona is so hot, why must we wait for a total solar eclipse to glimpse it?

Suppose a large flare is detected optically. How long until radio interference arrives?

In the proton-proton cycle, two positrons are produced. What are they similar to, and how are the different? What happens to them?

The Sun is a fairly normal star.

As the Sun rotates, an individual sunspot can be tracked across its face. From eastern to western limb, this takes about

The outward pressure of hot gas in the Sun

Both the gravitational and electromagnetic forces obey the inverse square law, and extend infinitely outward in their effects.

The Night Sky

Light and Telescopes

The Solar System

Earth and Its Moon

The Eight Planets

Small Bodies in the Solar System

Formation of Planetary Systems

Measuring the Stars

Star Formation and Evolution

Stellar Explosions

Black Holes

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Cosmology and the Universe

Filters