Question 1

Over the course of a sunspot cycle of about 11 years,the regions of sunspot occurrence on the Sun move:

Accepted Answer

A)  from the northern to the southern hemisphere or vice versa, across the equator, within the range of ±30° latitude. 
B)  from the poles to the equator. 
C)  poleward, moving from 10° to 30° latitude. 
D)  toward the equator, moving from 30° to 10° latitude. 
A)  from the northern to the southern hemisphere or vice versa, across the equator, within the range of ±30° latitude. 
B)  from the poles to the equator. 
C)  poleward, moving from 10° to 30° latitude. 
D)  toward the equator, moving from 30° to 10° latitude.

Question 2

A neutrino produced in the nuclear furnace in the core of the Sun can penetrate easily through the:

Accepted Answer

A)  gas of the Sun's interior and through the solid Earth. 
B)  Sun's gaseous interior but will be stopped at the surface of the solid Earth. 
C)  Sun's interior but will be deflected away from Earth by its magnetic field. 
D)  gaseous interior of the Sun and the solid Earth but will be easily stopped by chemicals containing chlorine. 
A)  gas of the Sun's interior and through the solid Earth. 
B)  Sun's gaseous interior but will be stopped at the surface of the solid Earth. 
C)  Sun's interior but will be deflected away from Earth by its magnetic field. 
D)  gaseous interior of the Sun and the solid Earth but will be easily stopped by chemicals containing chlorine.

Question 3

What is the average length of time from one maximum in the number of sunspots on the Sun to the next maximum?

Accepted Answer

A)  22 years 
B)  7 years 
C)  11 years 
D)  4 years 
A)  22 years 
B)  7 years 
C)  11 years 
D)  4 years

Question 4

Which particles or types of radiation will provide the MOST direct information on the processes of nuclear fusion that are occurring at the present time in the solar core?

Accepted Answer

A)  X rays from the solar corona 
B)  protons in the solar wind and from solar flares 
C)  neutrinos 
D)  visible light from the photosphere 
A)  X rays from the solar corona 
B)  protons in the solar wind and from solar flares 
C)  neutrinos 
D)  visible light from the photosphere

Question 5

The solar wind appears to originate mainly from which regions of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  coronal holes 
B)  solar magnetic poles 
C)  all over the surface, with no preferred location 
D)  sunspots 
A)  coronal holes 
B)  solar magnetic poles 
C)  all over the surface, with no preferred location 
D)  sunspots

Question 6

We now understand that there are three "flavors" of neutrinos.These do NOT include the _____ neutrino.

Accepted Answer

A)  electron 
B)  proton 
C)  tau 
D)  muon 
A)  electron 
B)  proton 
C)  tau 
D)  muon

Question 7

In order of increasing depth into the solar atmosphere,what are the names of the three layers of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  corona, chromosphere, photosphere 
B)  photosphere, chromosphere, corona 
C)  chromosphere, photosphere, corona 
D)  photosphere, corona, chromosphere 
A)  corona, chromosphere, photosphere 
B)  photosphere, chromosphere, corona 
C)  chromosphere, photosphere, corona 
D)  photosphere, corona, chromosphere

Question 8

Sunspots are seen to be cooler than the rest of the Sun's surface,sometimes by as much as 1500 K.What would be the peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot compared with that from the rest of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  The peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot would be longer than that from the rest of the sun. 
B)  The peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot would be the same because the light still originates at the Sun. 
C)  The peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot would be shorter or longer than that from the rest of the sun, depending on the position and motion of the spot. 
D)  The peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot would be shorter than that from the rest of the Sun. 
A)  The peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot would be longer than that from the rest of the sun. 
B)  The peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot would be the same because the light still originates at the Sun. 
C)  The peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot would be shorter or longer than that from the rest of the sun, depending on the position and motion of the spot. 
D)  The peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot would be shorter than that from the rest of the Sun.

Question 9

The photosphere emits far more radiant energy than does the chromosphere above it.How is it possible to image just the chromosphere from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is necessary to wait for a solar eclipse during which the Moon just blocks the photosphere, leaving the edges of the chromosphere visible. 
B)  It is not necessary to wait for a natural eclipse. Standing on Earth's surface, it is possible to create an artificial eclipse just by holding a coin at the appropriate distance to cover the photosphere and leave the chromosphere's edges visible. 
C)  The photosphere emits a great deal of Hα radiation, while the chromosphere does not. So one images the chromosphere through a filter that blocks Hα. 
D)  The photosphere emits very little Hα radiation, while the chromosphere emits a great deal. So one images the chromosphere through a filter that passes Hα. 
A)  It is necessary to wait for a solar eclipse during which the Moon just blocks the photosphere, leaving the edges of the chromosphere visible. 
B)  It is not necessary to wait for a natural eclipse. Standing on Earth's surface, it is possible to create an artificial eclipse just by holding a coin at the appropriate distance to cover the photosphere and leave the chromosphere's edges visible. 
C)  The photosphere emits a great deal of Hα radiation, while the chromosphere does not. So one images the chromosphere through a filter that blocks Hα. 
D)  The photosphere emits very little Hα radiation, while the chromosphere emits a great deal. So one images the chromosphere through a filter that passes Hα.

Question 10

How can we characterize the rotation of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  differential rotation, with the equator rotating more slowly than the poles 
B)  in a banded pattern, with alternating bands of fast and slow rotation to produce the sunspots 
C)  differential rotation, with the equator rotating faster than the poles 
D)  like a solid body, with all parts rotating at the same rate 
A)  differential rotation, with the equator rotating more slowly than the poles 
B)  in a banded pattern, with alternating bands of fast and slow rotation to produce the sunspots 
C)  differential rotation, with the equator rotating faster than the poles 
D)  like a solid body, with all parts rotating at the same rate

Question 11

Which statement describes our current understanding of the conservation of mass and energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mass is conserved; energy is not conserved. 
B)  Both mass and energy are separately conserved. 
C)  The sum of mass (times c²) and energy is conserved. 
D)  We are still looking for a comprehensive conservation rule involving mass and energy. 
A)  Mass is conserved; energy is not conserved. 
B)  Both mass and energy are separately conserved. 
C)  The sum of mass (times c²) and energy is conserved. 
D)  We are still looking for a comprehensive conservation rule involving mass and energy.

Question 12

The granulation observed on the photosphere of the Sun appears to be the result of:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Sun's magnetic field. 
B)  convection currents. 
C)  differential rotation. 
D)  optical effects caused by the turbulence in the Sun's atmosphere. 
A)  the Sun's magnetic field. 
B)  convection currents. 
C)  differential rotation. 
D)  optical effects caused by the turbulence in the Sun's atmosphere.

Question 13

The visible light coming from the solar chromosphere is dominated by light of what color?

Accepted Answer

A)  indigo 
B)  blue 
C)  green 
D)  red 
A)  indigo 
B)  blue 
C)  green 
D)  red

Question 14

What term is given to the visible "surface" of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  prominence 
B)  corona 
C)  chromosphere 
D)  photosphere 
A)  prominence 
B)  corona 
C)  chromosphere 
D)  photosphere

Question 15

What is the character of the sunspot cycle?

Accepted Answer

A)  Starting at sunspot minimum, new spots appear uniformly over the Sun, then gradually become concentrated at mid-latitudes as they increase and then decrease in number. 
B)  Starting at sunspot minimum, spots first appear far from the equator, followed by new spots closer to the equator as they increase in number, the latest spots closest to the equator. 
C)  Sunspots increase and decrease in number over 11 years, appearing at random locations between latitudes 10° and 30° from the equator in both hemispheres. 
D)  Starting at sunspot minimum, new spots appear close to the equator, followed by spots farther from the equator as they increase in number, the latest spots dying out at high latitudes. 
A)  Starting at sunspot minimum, new spots appear uniformly over the Sun, then gradually become concentrated at mid-latitudes as they increase and then decrease in number. 
B)  Starting at sunspot minimum, spots first appear far from the equator, followed by new spots closer to the equator as they increase in number, the latest spots closest to the equator. 
C)  Sunspots increase and decrease in number over 11 years, appearing at random locations between latitudes 10° and 30° from the equator in both hemispheres. 
D)  Starting at sunspot minimum, new spots appear close to the equator, followed by spots farther from the equator as they increase in number, the latest spots dying out at high latitudes.

Question 16

According to the theoretical model of the Sun shown graphically in Figure 9-22b of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.,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 17

Just before a sunspot forms on the photosphere,we will often see at that location:

Accepted Answer

A)  plages. 
B)  filaments. 
C)  prominences. 
D)  solar flares. 
A)  plages. 
B)  filaments. 
C)  prominences. 
D)  solar flares.

Question 18

How would one describe the Sun's rotation?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Sun rotates as a solid body, just like Earth. 
B)  The entire Sun experiences differential rotation, with the core rotating more slowly than the surface. 
C)  The entire Sun experiences differential rotation, with the core rotating more rapidly than the surface. 
D)  The outer layers of the Sun experience differential rotation, but the inner regions rotate as a solid body. 
A)  The Sun rotates as a solid body, just like Earth. 
B)  The entire Sun experiences differential rotation, with the core rotating more slowly than the surface. 
C)  The entire Sun experiences differential rotation, with the core rotating more rapidly than the surface. 
D)  The outer layers of the Sun experience differential rotation, but the inner regions rotate as a solid body.

Question 19

How much mass will the Sun lose to space during its lifetime,through the solar wind?

Accepted Answer

A)  a few thousandths of its total mass 
B)  only a few millionths of its total mass 
C)  well over one-half of its total mass 
D)  up to 25% of its total mass 
A)  a few thousandths of its total mass 
B)  only a few millionths of its total mass 
C)  well over one-half of its total mass 
D)  up to 25% of its total mass

Question 20

The spectrum of the solar corona reveals emission lines that originate in atoms from which many electrons have been stripped.What conclusion can be drawn from this result?

Accepted Answer

A)  The magnetic field intensity is high enough to drag electrons from the atoms. 
B)  The solar rotation speed at coronal height reduces the ability of atoms to retain electrons. 
C)  The pressure of the gas is sufficient to squeeze the electrons from the atoms. 
D)  The atomic collision energies and hence the gas temperatures are extremely high. 
A)  The magnetic field intensity is high enough to drag electrons from the atoms. 
B)  The solar rotation speed at coronal height reduces the ability of atoms to retain electrons. 
C)  The pressure of the gas is sufficient to squeeze the electrons from the atoms. 
D)  The atomic collision energies and hence the gas temperatures are extremely high.

Over the course of a sunspot cycle of about 11 years,the regions of sunspot occurrence on the Sun move:

A neutrino produced in the nuclear furnace in the core of the Sun can penetrate easily through the:

What is the average length of time from one maximum in the number of sunspots on the Sun to the next maximum?

Which particles or types of radiation will provide the MOST direct information on the processes of nuclear fusion that are occurring at the present time in the solar core?

The solar wind appears to originate mainly from which regions of the Sun?

We now understand that there are three "flavors" of neutrinos.These do NOT include the _____ neutrino.

In order of increasing depth into the solar atmosphere,what are the names of the three layers of the Sun?

Sunspots are seen to be cooler than the rest of the Sun's surface,sometimes by as much as 1500 K.What would be the peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot compared with that from the rest of the Sun?

The photosphere emits far more radiant energy than does the chromosphere above it.How is it possible to image just the chromosphere from Earth?

How can we characterize the rotation of the Sun?

Which statement describes our current understanding of the conservation of mass and energy?

The granulation observed on the photosphere of the Sun appears to be the result of:

The visible light coming from the solar chromosphere is dominated by light of what color?

What term is given to the visible "surface" of the Sun?

What is the character of the sunspot cycle?

According to the theoretical model of the Sun shown graphically in Figure 9-22b of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.,where is the vast majority of solar energy generated?

Just before a sunspot forms on the photosphere,we will often see at that location:

How would one describe the Sun's rotation?

How much mass will the Sun lose to space during its lifetime,through the solar wind?

The spectrum of the solar corona reveals emission lines that originate in atoms from which many electrons have been stripped.What conclusion can be drawn from this result?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 9: The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Over the course of a sunspot cycle of about 11 years,the regions of sunspot occurrence on the Sun move:

A neutrino produced in the nuclear furnace in the core of the Sun can penetrate easily through the:

What is the average length of time from one maximum in the number of sunspots on the Sun to the next maximum?

Which particles or types of radiation will provide the MOST direct information on the processes of nuclear fusion that are occurring at the present time in the solar core?

The solar wind appears to originate mainly from which regions of the Sun?

We now understand that there are three "flavors" of neutrinos.These do NOT include the _____ neutrino.

In order of increasing depth into the solar atmosphere,what are the names of the three layers of the Sun?

Sunspots are seen to be cooler than the rest of the Sun's surface,sometimes by as much as 1500 K.What would be the peak wavelength of the radiation from the sunspot compared with that from the rest of the Sun?

The photosphere emits far more radiant energy than does the chromosphere above it.How is it possible to image just the chromosphere from Earth?

How can we characterize the rotation of the Sun?

Which statement describes our current understanding of the conservation of mass and energy?

The granulation observed on the photosphere of the Sun appears to be the result of:

The visible light coming from the solar chromosphere is dominated by light of what color?

What term is given to the visible "surface" of the Sun?

What is the character of the sunspot cycle?

According to the theoretical model of the Sun shown graphically in Figure 9-22b of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.,where is the vast majority of solar energy generated?

Just before a sunspot forms on the photosphere,we will often see at that location:

How would one describe the Sun's rotation?

How much mass will the Sun lose to space during its lifetime,through the solar wind?

The spectrum of the solar corona reveals emission lines that originate in atoms from which many electrons have been stripped.What conclusion can be drawn from this result?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters