Question 1

Intense magnetic fields have been found to exist in sunspots by the observation of what specific physical effect?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Zeeman effect, the splitting of spectral absorption lines 
B)  Doppler shift of light from sunspots 
C)  observation of ionized atoms in the region of the sunspots 
D)  measurement of the relative strengths of spectral absorption lines of gases in the sunspot 
A)  the Zeeman effect, the splitting of spectral absorption lines 
B)  Doppler shift of light from sunspots 
C)  observation of ionized atoms in the region of the sunspots 
D)  measurement of the relative strengths of spectral absorption lines of gases in the sunspot

Question 2

Where would you expect to find heavy atoms like iron stripped of many of their electrons?

Accepted Answer

A)  the photosphere 
B)  the chromosphere 
C)  the corona 
D)  sunspots 
A)  the photosphere 
B)  the chromosphere 
C)  the corona 
D)  sunspots

Question 3

Which statement about sunspots is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

The umbra of a sunspot is about 1500 K cooler than the surrounding solar photosphere.How does the light from the umbra compare with the light from the rest of the photosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  The umbra and the surrounding photosphere both emit light of the same color and the same intensity (per square meter) because they are both in the photosphere. 
B)  The light from the umbra is bluer. 
C)  The light from both the umbra and the surrounding photosphere are the same color, but the umbra emits less light per square meter. 
D)  The light from the umbra is redder. 
A)  The umbra and the surrounding photosphere both emit light of the same color and the same intensity (per square meter) because they are both in the photosphere. 
B)  The light from the umbra is bluer. 
C)  The light from both the umbra and the surrounding photosphere are the same color, but the umbra emits less light per square meter. 
D)  The light from the umbra is redder.

Question 5

The magnetic field in a large rotating body can reverse direction periodically.For which two bodies in the solar system has evidence been found for such magnetic reversals?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Sun and the Moon 
B)  the Sun and Earth 
C)  Earth and the Moon 
D)  Earth and Venus 
A)  the Sun and the Moon 
B)  the Sun and Earth 
C)  Earth and the Moon 
D)  Earth and Venus

Question 6

In the thermonuclear process that is thought to heat the Sun,the nuclei of which chemical elements are converted to other nuclei to produce the requisite energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Helium is converted to hydrogen. 
B)  Iron is transformed to a series of lighter elements in chain reactions, leading eventually to hydrogen. 
C)  Hydrogen is converted to helium. 
D)  Uranium is converted to lead. 
A)  Helium is converted to hydrogen. 
B)  Iron is transformed to a series of lighter elements in chain reactions, leading eventually to hydrogen. 
C)  Hydrogen is converted to helium. 
D)  Uranium is converted to lead.

Question 7

What is Cerenkov radiation?

Accepted Answer

A)  radiation that moves faster than the speed of light 
B)  radiation emitted directly from the core of the Sun to Earth 
C)  radiation emitted when a charged particle moves through a material medium faster than the speed of light through that medium 
D)  radiation emitted during the transformation of one kind of neutrino (electron, muon, or tau neutrino) to another kind of neutrino 
A)  radiation that moves faster than the speed of light 
B)  radiation emitted directly from the core of the Sun to Earth 
C)  radiation emitted when a charged particle moves through a material medium faster than the speed of light through that medium 
D)  radiation emitted during the transformation of one kind of neutrino (electron, muon, or tau neutrino) to another kind of neutrino

Question 8

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 9

What is a plasma?

Accepted Answer

A)  material in which all the spectral lines exhibit Zeeman splitting 
B)  a gas so dense that visible light will not penetrate it 
C)  a state of matter consisting of electrons and ionized atoms 
D)  a ring around the Sun's equator caused by magnetic effects 
A)  material in which all the spectral lines exhibit Zeeman splitting 
B)  a gas so dense that visible light will not penetrate it 
C)  a state of matter consisting of electrons and ionized atoms 
D)  a ring around the Sun's equator caused by magnetic effects

Question 10

What is helioseismology?

Accepted Answer

A)  the study of the Sun's tidal effects in causing earthquakes 
B)  the study of the Sun's response to collisions with grazing comets 
C)  the study of vibrations in the Sun's interior 
D)  the detailed study of the shape of the Sun 
A)  the study of the Sun's tidal effects in causing earthquakes 
B)  the study of the Sun's response to collisions with grazing comets 
C)  the study of vibrations in the Sun's interior 
D)  the detailed study of the shape of the Sun

Question 11

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 12

Which layer of the Sun's atmosphere has the greatest vertical thickness?

Accepted Answer

A)  the corona 
B)  the chromosphere 
C)  the photosphere 
D)  They are each about the same. 
A)  the corona 
B)  the chromosphere 
C)  the photosphere 
D)  They are each about the same.

Question 13

Many images of the chromosphere are taken through a red filter.One reason for this is to:

Accepted Answer

A)  block out all red light and allow through the prominent light of other colors produced in the chromosphere. 
B)  allow through the filter the red light produced by the photosphere and thus show an effective contrast with the chromosphere. 
C)  ensure that the blue of Earth's atmosphere does not interfere with the image. 
D)  allow through the red light which is produced predominantly in the chromosphere and not in the photosphere. 
A)  block out all red light and allow through the prominent light of other colors produced in the chromosphere. 
B)  allow through the filter the red light produced by the photosphere and thus show an effective contrast with the chromosphere. 
C)  ensure that the blue of Earth's atmosphere does not interfere with the image. 
D)  allow through the red light which is produced predominantly in the chromosphere and not in the photosphere.

Question 14

What name is given to the outer atmosphere of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  convective zone 
B)  radiative zone 
C)  corona 
D)  chromosphere 
A)  convective zone 
B)  radiative zone 
C)  corona 
D)  chromosphere

Question 15

Sunspots are:

Accepted Answer

A)  cooler, darker regions on the Sun's surface. 
B)  the shadows of cool, dark clouds of matter hanging above the solar surface. 
C)  cooler regions of the Sun's high corona. 
D)  hotter, deeper regions in the Sun's atmosphere. 
A)  cooler, darker regions on the Sun's surface. 
B)  the shadows of cool, dark clouds of matter hanging above the solar surface. 
C)  cooler regions of the Sun's high corona. 
D)  hotter, deeper regions in the Sun's atmosphere.

Question 16

The major feature that distinguishes a sunspot from other regions on the Sun is:

Accepted Answer

A)  its very powerful magnetic field. 
B)  faster rotation around the Sun's axis than neighboring regions. 
C)  its greater light emission compared with the photosphere. 
D)  a coronal hole existing above it. 
A)  its very powerful magnetic field. 
B)  faster rotation around the Sun's axis than neighboring regions. 
C)  its greater light emission compared with the photosphere. 
D)  a coronal hole existing above it.

Question 17

A positron is a:

Accepted Answer

A)  hydrogen nucleus. 
B)  theory about which there is absolutely no doubt. 
C)  charged neutron. 
D)  positively charged electron. 
A)  hydrogen nucleus. 
B)  theory about which there is absolutely no doubt. 
C)  charged neutron. 
D)  positively charged electron.

Question 18

At the present time,the energy of the Sun is generated:

Accepted Answer

A)  throughout the Sun by gravitational contraction. 
B)  in the central core by fusion of helium nuclei and in an outer shell by fusion of hydrogen nuclei. 
C)  only in its central core by fission of heavy nuclei. 
D)  only in its central core by fusion of hydrogen nuclei. 
A)  throughout the Sun by gravitational contraction. 
B)  in the central core by fusion of helium nuclei and in an outer shell by fusion of hydrogen nuclei. 
C)  only in its central core by fission of heavy nuclei. 
D)  only in its central core by fusion of hydrogen nuclei.

Question 19

Recent solar neutrino experiments have confirmed the suspicion that the explanation for the apparent shortfall in neutrino detection rates over the last 30 years is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Sun does indeed produce only 1/3 of that predicted by earlier theoretical models; these models require major modification. 
B)  2/3 of the neutrinos from the Sun are absorbed by material between the Sun and Earth. 
C)  2/3 of the solar neutrinos transform into types of neutrinos that were undetectable by old detection techniques. 
D)  the detectors were faulty; 2/3 of the neutrinos were missed by the detectors. 
A)  the Sun does indeed produce only 1/3 of that predicted by earlier theoretical models; these models require major modification. 
B)  2/3 of the neutrinos from the Sun are absorbed by material between the Sun and Earth. 
C)  2/3 of the solar neutrinos transform into types of neutrinos that were undetectable by old detection techniques. 
D)  the detectors were faulty; 2/3 of the neutrinos were missed by the detectors.

Question 20

Which statement 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.

Intense magnetic fields have been found to exist in sunspots by the observation of what specific physical effect?

Where would you expect to find heavy atoms like iron stripped of many of their electrons?

Which statement about sunspots is NOT true?

The umbra of a sunspot is about 1500 K cooler than the surrounding solar photosphere.How does the light from the umbra compare with the light from the rest of the photosphere?

The magnetic field in a large rotating body can reverse direction periodically.For which two bodies in the solar system has evidence been found for such magnetic reversals?

In the thermonuclear process that is thought to heat the Sun,the nuclei of which chemical elements are converted to other nuclei to produce the requisite energy?

What is Cerenkov radiation?

How large is a typical sunspot?

What is a plasma?

What is helioseismology?

The Zeeman effect refers to the:

Which layer of the Sun's atmosphere has the greatest vertical thickness?

Many images of the chromosphere are taken through a red filter.One reason for this is to:

What name is given to the outer atmosphere of the Sun?

Sunspots are:

The major feature that distinguishes a sunspot from other regions on the Sun is:

A positron is a:

At the present time,the energy of the Sun is generated:

Recent solar neutrino experiments have confirmed the suspicion that the explanation for the apparent shortfall in neutrino detection rates over the last 30 years is that:

Which statement about sunspots is NOT true?

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

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Exam 9: The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Intense magnetic fields have been found to exist in sunspots by the observation of what specific physical effect?

Where would you expect to find heavy atoms like iron stripped of many of their electrons?

Which statement about sunspots is NOT true?

The umbra of a sunspot is about 1500 K cooler than the surrounding solar photosphere.How does the light from the umbra compare with the light from the rest of the photosphere?

The magnetic field in a large rotating body can reverse direction periodically.For which two bodies in the solar system has evidence been found for such magnetic reversals?

In the thermonuclear process that is thought to heat the Sun,the nuclei of which chemical elements are converted to other nuclei to produce the requisite energy?

What is Cerenkov radiation?

How large is a typical sunspot?

What is a plasma?

What is helioseismology?

The Zeeman effect refers to the:

Which layer of the Sun's atmosphere has the greatest vertical thickness?

Many images of the chromosphere are taken through a red filter.One reason for this is to:

What name is given to the outer atmosphere of the Sun?

Sunspots are:

The major feature that distinguishes a sunspot from other regions on the Sun is:

A positron is a:

At the present time,the energy of the Sun is generated:

Recent solar neutrino experiments have confirmed the suspicion that the explanation for the apparent shortfall in neutrino detection rates over the last 30 years is that:

Which statement about sunspots is NOT true?

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