Question 1

Spicules in the chromosphere rise up from:

Accepted Answer

A)  the centers of sunspots. 
B)  the edges of granules. 
C)  the edges of supergranules. 
D)  random, constantly shifting locations on the photosphere. 
A)  the centers of sunspots. 
B)  the edges of granules. 
C)  the edges of supergranules. 
D)  random, constantly shifting locations on the photosphere.

Question 2

If a solar flare produces an X-ray outburst and also triggers a coronal mass ejection (CME),what will be the arrival times of these components,referenced to the time of occurrence on the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  The X rays arrive within a few seconds of the flare, while the CME material arrives about an hour after the flare. 
B)  Disturbances on Earth from each of these components occur about two days after the flare. 
C)  The disturbances from these outbursts occur almost simultaneously on Earth, about 8 minutes after the flare, because the CME material travels almost at the speed of light. 
D)  The X rays arrive about 8 minutes after the flare, while the CME material arrives after about two days. 
A)  The X rays arrive within a few seconds of the flare, while the CME material arrives about an hour after the flare. 
B)  Disturbances on Earth from each of these components occur about two days after the flare. 
C)  The disturbances from these outbursts occur almost simultaneously on Earth, about 8 minutes after the flare, because the CME material travels almost at the speed of light. 
D)  The X rays arrive about 8 minutes after the flare, while the CME material arrives after about two days.

Question 3

The order of the layers or parts of the Sun,as radius increases,is:

Accepted Answer

A)  radiative zone, convection zone, chromosphere, photosphere, corona. 
B)  radiative zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona. 
C)  corona, chromosphere, convection zone, photosphere, radiative zone. 
D)  radiative zone, convection zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere. 
A)  radiative zone, convection zone, chromosphere, photosphere, corona. 
B)  radiative zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona. 
C)  corona, chromosphere, convection zone, photosphere, radiative zone. 
D)  radiative zone, convection zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere.

Question 4

What is the Sun's photosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  the envelope of convective mass motion in the outer interior of the Sun 
B)  the lowest layer of the Sun's atmosphere 
C)  the middle layer of the Sun's atmosphere 
D)  the upper layer of the Sun's atmosphere 
A)  the envelope of convective mass motion in the outer interior of the Sun 
B)  the lowest layer of the Sun's atmosphere 
C)  the middle layer of the Sun's atmosphere 
D)  the upper layer of the Sun's atmosphere

Question 5

What is a neutrino?

Accepted Answer

A)  a particle with the same mass as an electron but with no electrical charge 
B)  an uncharged proton 
C)  a positively charged electron that combines with an ordinary electron to form an uncharged "light atom" 
D)  a chargeless particle with a very small mass, a small fraction of that of the electron 
A)  a particle with the same mass as an electron but with no electrical charge 
B)  an uncharged proton 
C)  a positively charged electron that combines with an ordinary electron to form an uncharged "light atom" 
D)  a chargeless particle with a very small mass, a small fraction of that of the electron

Question 6

The energy transfer process that operates in the Sun via mass motion is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)  convection. 
B)  radiation. 
C)  thermonuclear fusion. 
D)  conduction. 
A)  convection. 
B)  radiation. 
C)  thermonuclear fusion. 
D)  conduction.

Question 7

How does the average density of the Sun compare with that of the planet Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is not possible to specify an average density for an object as large as the Sun. 
B)  The Sun is many times denser than Jupiter. 
C)  The Sun is considerably less dense than Jupiter. 
D)  The Sun has approximately the same average density as Jupiter. 
A)  It is not possible to specify an average density for an object as large as the Sun. 
B)  The Sun is many times denser than Jupiter. 
C)  The Sun is considerably less dense than Jupiter. 
D)  The Sun has approximately the same average density as Jupiter.

Question 8

The solar wind is almost entirely ionized gas:

Accepted Answer

A)  escaping through coronal holes. 
B)  escaping from X-ray-bright regions of the solar corona. 
C)  flung out from solar flares. 
D)  flung out from the Sun's equatorial region by the centrifugal force due to the Sun's rotation. 
A)  escaping through coronal holes. 
B)  escaping from X-ray-bright regions of the solar corona. 
C)  flung out from solar flares. 
D)  flung out from the Sun's equatorial region by the centrifugal force due to the Sun's rotation.

Question 9

What process provides the power to maintain the Sun's radiative output?

Accepted Answer

A)  the fission of uranium to form lead 
B)  the fusion of hydrogen into helium 
C)  the decay of heavy elements in the solar core and the emission of neutrinos 
D)  the fusion of helium into carbon 
A)  the fission of uranium to form lead 
B)  the fusion of hydrogen into helium 
C)  the decay of heavy elements in the solar core and the emission of neutrinos 
D)  the fusion of helium into carbon

Question 10

The thickness of the photosphere,or the visible "surface" of the Sun,is:

Accepted Answer

A)  about 4000 km. 
B)  about 50,000 km. 
C)  only about 1 km. 
D)  about 400 km. 
A)  about 4000 km. 
B)  about 50,000 km. 
C)  only about 1 km. 
D)  about 400 km.

Question 11

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 12

What is the explanation for the bright cells of photospheric gases that make up the cellular granulation pattern seen on the visible surface of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  The cells are the base of a circulation pattern that extends from the photosphere to the outer corona. 
B)  The cells are regions of nuclear energy generation in the Sun's photosphere. 
C)  Each cell is a region of strong magnetic field, which compresses and heats the gas within it. 
D)  The cells are the tops of blobs of hot gas that have risen from the Sun's convective zone. 
A)  The cells are the base of a circulation pattern that extends from the photosphere to the outer corona. 
B)  The cells are regions of nuclear energy generation in the Sun's photosphere. 
C)  Each cell is a region of strong magnetic field, which compresses and heats the gas within it. 
D)  The cells are the tops of blobs of hot gas that have risen from the Sun's convective zone.

Question 13

In 1908,Hale noticed that the spectral lines from sunspots were split into closely spaced components,and he concluded that the magnetic fields in the sunspots must be very strong.What is the name given to this effect?

Accepted Answer

A)  the photoelectric effect 
B)  the Hale effect 
C)  the Doppler effect 
D)  the Zeeman effect 
A)  the photoelectric effect 
B)  the Hale effect 
C)  the Doppler effect 
D)  the Zeeman effect

Question 14

The solar wind is made up primarily of:

Accepted Answer

A)  electrons and helium nuclei (the "ash" of nuclear fusion). 
B)  hydrogen nuclei, with very few electrons. 
C)  hydrogen nuclei and electrons, some helium nuclei. 
D)  equal numbers of all light elements, up to oxygen but no electrons, because they are unable to escape the Sun's gravity. 
A)  electrons and helium nuclei (the "ash" of nuclear fusion). 
B)  hydrogen nuclei, with very few electrons. 
C)  hydrogen nuclei and electrons, some helium nuclei. 
D)  equal numbers of all light elements, up to oxygen but no electrons, because they are unable to escape the Sun's gravity.

Question 15

How does a coronal hole compare with the rest of the solar corona?

Accepted Answer

A)  cooler but brighter 
B)  hotter and brighter 
C)  cooler and darker 
D)  hotter but darker 
A)  cooler but brighter 
B)  hotter and brighter 
C)  cooler and darker 
D)  hotter but darker

Question 16

Evidence for a magnetic field reversal has NOT been seen for:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Sun. 
B)  other stars. 
C)  Earth. 
D)  Jupiter. 
A)  the Sun. 
B)  other stars. 
C)  Earth. 
D)  Jupiter.

Question 17

Convection currents in the Sun's interior occupy what fraction of the Sun's radius?

Accepted Answer

A)  outer 20% of the radius 
B)  inner 10% of the radius, at the core 
C)  whole radius 
D)  inner 80% of the radius 
A)  outer 20% of the radius 
B)  inner 10% of the radius, at the core 
C)  whole radius 
D)  inner 80% of the radius

Question 18

In what fundamental way does the overall solar magnetic field differ from that of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The solar field has the same polarity at both poles and the other polarity at the equator. 
B)  The Sun's overall magnetic field never reverses itself, while that of Earth has reversed itself many times in geological history. 
C)  The strength of the Sun's overall magnetic field is about 20,000 times more powerful than that of Earth. 
D)  The solar field lies just beneath the surface, while Earth's field passes through the whole Earth. 
A)  The solar field has the same polarity at both poles and the other polarity at the equator. 
B)  The Sun's overall magnetic field never reverses itself, while that of Earth has reversed itself many times in geological history. 
C)  The strength of the Sun's overall magnetic field is about 20,000 times more powerful than that of Earth. 
D)  The solar field lies just beneath the surface, while Earth's field passes through the whole Earth.

Question 19

The Maunder minimum is the name given to the:

Accepted Answer

A)  unexpectedly low number of neutrinos observed from the Sun. 
B)  region of lowest temperature in the photosphere, between the decreasing temperature in the solar interior and the increasing temperature in the chromosphere. 
C)  period of 70 years in the 1600s and early 1700s during which essentially no sunspots were seen. 
D)  minimum in the number of sunspots that occurs roughly every 11 years. 
A)  unexpectedly low number of neutrinos observed from the Sun. 
B)  region of lowest temperature in the photosphere, between the decreasing temperature in the solar interior and the increasing temperature in the chromosphere. 
C)  period of 70 years in the 1600s and early 1700s during which essentially no sunspots were seen. 
D)  minimum in the number of sunspots that occurs roughly every 11 years.

Question 20

The heliosphere:

Accepted Answer

A)  is spherical. 
B)  is mostly within the orbit of Mercury. 
C)  is the limit for solar wind gases moving out beyond the Sun. 
D)  involves an interaction of the solar wind and the solar magnetic field. 
A)  is spherical. 
B)  is mostly within the orbit of Mercury. 
C)  is the limit for solar wind gases moving out beyond the Sun. 
D)  involves an interaction of the solar wind and the solar magnetic field.

Spicules in the chromosphere rise up from:

If a solar flare produces an X-ray outburst and also triggers a coronal mass ejection (CME),what will be the arrival times of these components,referenced to the time of occurrence on the Sun?

The order of the layers or parts of the Sun,as radius increases,is:

What is the Sun's photosphere?

What is a neutrino?

The energy transfer process that operates in the Sun via mass motion is known as:

How does the average density of the Sun compare with that of the planet Jupiter?

The solar wind is almost entirely ionized gas:

What process provides the power to maintain the Sun's radiative output?

The thickness of the photosphere,or the visible "surface" of the Sun,is:

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?

What is the explanation for the bright cells of photospheric gases that make up the cellular granulation pattern seen on the visible surface of the Sun?

In 1908,Hale noticed that the spectral lines from sunspots were split into closely spaced components,and he concluded that the magnetic fields in the sunspots must be very strong.What is the name given to this effect?

The solar wind is made up primarily of:

How does a coronal hole compare with the rest of the solar corona?

Evidence for a magnetic field reversal has NOT been seen for:

Convection currents in the Sun's interior occupy what fraction of the Sun's radius?

In what fundamental way does the overall solar magnetic field differ from that of Earth?

The Maunder minimum is the name given to the:

The heliosphere:

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

Spicules in the chromosphere rise up from:

If a solar flare produces an X-ray outburst and also triggers a coronal mass ejection (CME),what will be the arrival times of these components,referenced to the time of occurrence on the Sun?

The order of the layers or parts of the Sun,as radius increases,is:

What is the Sun's photosphere?

What is a neutrino?

The energy transfer process that operates in the Sun via mass motion is known as:

How does the average density of the Sun compare with that of the planet Jupiter?

The solar wind is almost entirely ionized gas:

What process provides the power to maintain the Sun's radiative output?

The thickness of the photosphere,or the visible "surface" of the Sun,is:

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?

What is the explanation for the bright cells of photospheric gases that make up the cellular granulation pattern seen on the visible surface of the Sun?

In 1908,Hale noticed that the spectral lines from sunspots were split into closely spaced components,and he concluded that the magnetic fields in the sunspots must be very strong.What is the name given to this effect?

The solar wind is made up primarily of:

How does a coronal hole compare with the rest of the solar corona?

Evidence for a magnetic field reversal has NOT been seen for:

Convection currents in the Sun's interior occupy what fraction of the Sun's radius?

In what fundamental way does the overall solar magnetic field differ from that of Earth?

The Maunder minimum is the name given to the:

The heliosphere:

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