Question 1

What is the Zeeman effect?

Accepted Answer

A)  the generation of magnetic fields by the motion of charged particles 
B)  the attraction of two areas of opposite magnetic polarity toward each other 
C)  the inability of charged particles to move perpendicular to magnetic field lines 
D)  the splitting of spectral lines emitted by atoms within a magnetic field 
A)  the generation of magnetic fields by the motion of charged particles 
B)  the attraction of two areas of opposite magnetic polarity toward each other 
C)  the inability of charged particles to move perpendicular to magnetic field lines 
D)  the splitting of spectral lines emitted by atoms within a magnetic field

Question 2

The word chromosphere refers to a:

Accepted Answer

A)  dense, spherical interstellar cloud of glowing gas. 
B)  layer in Earth's atmosphere just below the ionosphere. 
C)  layer in the Sun's atmosphere. 
D)  light-emitting region just outside the event horizon of a black hole. 
A)  dense, spherical interstellar cloud of glowing gas. 
B)  layer in Earth's atmosphere just below the ionosphere. 
C)  layer in the Sun's atmosphere. 
D)  light-emitting region just outside the event horizon of a black hole.

Question 3

The HIGHEST temperatures in the Sun are found in the:

Accepted Answer

A)  corona. 
B)  chromosphere. 
C)  photosphere. 
D)  solar interior. 
A)  corona. 
B)  chromosphere. 
C)  photosphere. 
D)  solar interior.

Question 4

The photosphere of the Sun is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  visible "surface" of the Sun. 
B)  middle layer of the Sun's atmosphere. 
C)  region of convecting gases below the visible surface of the Sun. 
D)  core of the Sun, where the nuclear energy is generated. 
A)  visible "surface" of the Sun. 
B)  middle layer of the Sun's atmosphere. 
C)  region of convecting gases below the visible surface of the Sun. 
D)  core of the Sun, where the nuclear energy is generated.

Question 5

The approximate temperature of the visible surface of the Sun is:

Accepted Answer

A)  10,000 K. 
B)  2000 K. 
C)  4300 K. 
D)  5800 K. 
A)  10,000 K. 
B)  2000 K. 
C)  4300 K. 
D)  5800 K.

Question 6

One particular feature of the solar corona is its:

Accepted Answer

A)  variation with time over periods of a few minutes. 
B)  very high temperature. 
C)  very uniform density and structure. 
D)  very cold temperature. 
A)  variation with time over periods of a few minutes. 
B)  very high temperature. 
C)  very uniform density and structure. 
D)  very cold temperature.

Question 7

What is the faint young Sun paradox?

Accepted Answer

A)  By observing other stellar nebula similar to what we believe our own solar nebula looked like, we have determined that those stars were much brighter much earlier than our predictions for the Sun. 
B)  Our theories predict that the young Sun was faint. If so, it would have allowed many comets to escape being vaporized at perihelion and the impact rate on the Moon and similar bodies would be much heavier than it is. 
C)  The Sun has become more luminous over time, but its temperature has remained relatively constant. 
D)  The Earth has evidence of liquid surface water dating back 4.2 billion years, but the young Sun at that time is not predicted to be luminous enough to have heated Earth sufficiently to prevent water from freezing. 
A)  By observing other stellar nebula similar to what we believe our own solar nebula looked like, we have determined that those stars were much brighter much earlier than our predictions for the Sun. 
B)  Our theories predict that the young Sun was faint. If so, it would have allowed many comets to escape being vaporized at perihelion and the impact rate on the Moon and similar bodies would be much heavier than it is. 
C)  The Sun has become more luminous over time, but its temperature has remained relatively constant. 
D)  The Earth has evidence of liquid surface water dating back 4.2 billion years, but the young Sun at that time is not predicted to be luminous enough to have heated Earth sufficiently to prevent water from freezing.

Question 8

Thermonuclear fusion reactions in the core of the Sun convert four hydrogen atoms into one helium atom.The helium atom has:

Accepted Answer

A)  an undetermined amount of mass, depending on the temperature at which the reaction occurs. 
B)  the same mass as the four hydrogen atoms because the mass of any product has to equal the sum of the mass of its parts. 
C)  less mass than the four hydrogen atoms; the mass loss is converted to energy via the equation E = mc². 
D)  more mass than the four hydrogen atoms; the energy produced in the reaction appears as the extra mass from the equation E = mc². 
A)  an undetermined amount of mass, depending on the temperature at which the reaction occurs. 
B)  the same mass as the four hydrogen atoms because the mass of any product has to equal the sum of the mass of its parts. 
C)  less mass than the four hydrogen atoms; the mass loss is converted to energy via the equation E = mc². 
D)  more mass than the four hydrogen atoms; the energy produced in the reaction appears as the extra mass from the equation E = mc².

Question 9

Hydrogen "burning" by fusion reactions occurs only in the deep interior of the Sun (and other stars)because:

Accepted Answer

A)  the density there is sufficiently low that hydrogen atoms can collide with each other often enough. 
B)  this is the only place in the Sun where there is sufficient hydrogen. 
C)  only in the core is the temperature low enough and the density high enough to allow fusion to occur. 
D)  the requisite conditions of high temperature and high density occur only there. 
A)  the density there is sufficiently low that hydrogen atoms can collide with each other often enough. 
B)  this is the only place in the Sun where there is sufficient hydrogen. 
C)  only in the core is the temperature low enough and the density high enough to allow fusion to occur. 
D)  the requisite conditions of high temperature and high density occur only there.

Question 10

Which event is NOT a consequence of a coronal mass ejection event from the Sun that is aimed toward Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  a major health hazard for astronauts in orbit around Earth, particularly on the Moon 
B)  a major hurricane 
C)  damage to and even destruction of satellite electronics and power systems 
D)  disruption to radio transmission and electrical power systems on Earth 
A)  a major health hazard for astronauts in orbit around Earth, particularly on the Moon 
B)  a major hurricane 
C)  damage to and even destruction of satellite electronics and power systems 
D)  disruption to radio transmission and electrical power systems on Earth

Question 11

A coronal hole shows up most prominently on what kind of photograph?

Accepted Answer

A)  red light of the first Balmer line of hydrogen, Hα, at 656.3 nm 
B)  radio wavelengths 
C)  any wavelength of visible light 
D)  X ray 
A)  red light of the first Balmer line of hydrogen, Hα, at 656.3 nm 
B)  radio wavelengths 
C)  any wavelength of visible light 
D)  X ray

Question 12

Which phenomenon on the Sun does NOT appear to be a source of particles traveling out into the solar system from the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  spicules 
B)  eruptive prominences 
C)  coronal holes 
D)  flares 
A)  spicules 
B)  eruptive prominences 
C)  coronal holes 
D)  flares

Question 13

The strength of the magnetic field in a sunspot is estimated from Earth by:

Accepted Answer

A)  measuring the size and brightness of the sunspot. 
B)  measuring the size and mass of a prominence suspended above the sunspot. 
C)  measuring the shape of structures seen in the corona above sunspots during solar eclipses. 
D)  observing the wavelength splitting of atomic spectral lines by the Zeeman effect. 
A)  measuring the size and brightness of the sunspot. 
B)  measuring the size and mass of a prominence suspended above the sunspot. 
C)  measuring the shape of structures seen in the corona above sunspots during solar eclipses. 
D)  observing the wavelength splitting of atomic spectral lines by the Zeeman effect.

Question 14

Figure 9-5 in Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.,shows an image taken through a filter that passes the red Hα hydrogen line and blocks other wavelengths.Why does this image show the chromosphere but not the photosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  The chromosphere is cooler than the photosphere and therefore emits Hα, while the warmer photosphere does not. 
B)  The chromosphere is warmer than the photosphere and therefore emits Hα, while the cooler photosphere does not. 
C)  The photosphere lacks hydrogen and therefore cannot emit Hα. 
D)  The Hα emitted by the photosphere is blocked by the chromosphere. 
A)  The chromosphere is cooler than the photosphere and therefore emits Hα, while the warmer photosphere does not. 
B)  The chromosphere is warmer than the photosphere and therefore emits Hα, while the cooler photosphere does not. 
C)  The photosphere lacks hydrogen and therefore cannot emit Hα. 
D)  The Hα emitted by the photosphere is blocked by the chromosphere.

Question 15

Energy is transported from the center of the Sun to the surface by:

Accepted Answer

A)  radiation in the thermonuclear core, convection everywhere else. 
B)  convection in the thermonuclear core, radiation everywhere else. 
C)  mostly convection, radiation only in the outer layers. 
D)  mostly radiation, convection only in the outer layers. 
A)  radiation in the thermonuclear core, convection everywhere else. 
B)  convection in the thermonuclear core, radiation everywhere else. 
C)  mostly convection, radiation only in the outer layers. 
D)  mostly radiation, convection only in the outer layers.

Question 16

What is the corona on the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Sun's inner atmosphere, just above the photosphere 
B)  a large region beyond (outside of) the Sun's atmosphere, filled with solar wind 
C)  the region above the solar north and south poles, the Sun's "crown" 
D)  the Sun's outer atmosphere 
A)  the Sun's inner atmosphere, just above the photosphere 
B)  a large region beyond (outside of) the Sun's atmosphere, filled with solar wind 
C)  the region above the solar north and south poles, the Sun's "crown" 
D)  the Sun's outer atmosphere

Question 17

The differential rotation of the Sun causes the magnetic fields in its interior to become tangled.According to the Babcock model of the solar activity cycle,what happens to these tangled magnetic fields?

Accepted Answer

A)  These tangled fields finally merge into a single magnetic field emerging from the Sun's north pole and entering the Sun's south pole. This merging begins the 11-year solar cycle. 
B)  The magnetic fields stretch and thereby lose energy, which makes them lighter, and they float to the Sun's photosphere where they break through and form sunspot groups. 
C)  The tangled magnetic fields interrupt the convection currents and trap gas. The gas rises, carrying the fields with it, and float to the Sun's photosphere, where they break through and form sunspot groups. 
D)  These tangled fields alternately trap and release gases from the convection currents, leading to the periodic pulsations observed by helioseismology. 
A)  These tangled fields finally merge into a single magnetic field emerging from the Sun's north pole and entering the Sun's south pole. This merging begins the 11-year solar cycle. 
B)  The magnetic fields stretch and thereby lose energy, which makes them lighter, and they float to the Sun's photosphere where they break through and form sunspot groups. 
C)  The tangled magnetic fields interrupt the convection currents and trap gas. The gas rises, carrying the fields with it, and float to the Sun's photosphere, where they break through and form sunspot groups. 
D)  These tangled fields alternately trap and release gases from the convection currents, leading to the periodic pulsations observed by helioseismology.

Question 18

The photosphere is cooler than the chromosphere.How does this influence the spectral characteristics of the Hα line,the prominent red line in the hydrogen spectrum?

Accepted Answer

A)  This line is an emission line in the chromosphere but an absorption line in the photosphere. 
B)  This line is an absorption line in the chromosphere but an emission line in the photosphere. 
C)  Both the chromosphere and the photosphere show absorption lines for Hα, but the lines are darker and broader in the chromosphere. 
D)  Both the chromosphere and the photosphere show absorption lines for Hα, but the lines are darker and broader in the photosphere. 
A)  This line is an emission line in the chromosphere but an absorption line in the photosphere. 
B)  This line is an absorption line in the chromosphere but an emission line in the photosphere. 
C)  Both the chromosphere and the photosphere show absorption lines for Hα, but the lines are darker and broader in the chromosphere. 
D)  Both the chromosphere and the photosphere show absorption lines for Hα, but the lines are darker and broader in the photosphere.

Question 19

An arching column of gas suspended over a sunspot group is called a:

Accepted Answer

A)  coronal hole. 
B)  flare. 
C)  spicule. 
D)  prominence. 
A)  coronal hole. 
B)  flare. 
C)  spicule. 
D)  prominence.

Question 20

A typical sunspot group lasts:

Accepted Answer

A)  virtually forever. 
B)  about two months. 
C)  11 years. 
D)  22 years. 
A)  virtually forever. 
B)  about two months. 
C)  11 years. 
D)  22 years.

What is the Zeeman effect?

The word chromosphere refers to a:

The HIGHEST temperatures in the Sun are found in the:

The photosphere of the Sun is the:

The approximate temperature of the visible surface of the Sun is:

One particular feature of the solar corona is its:

What is the faint young Sun paradox?

Thermonuclear fusion reactions in the core of the Sun convert four hydrogen atoms into one helium atom.The helium atom has:

Hydrogen "burning" by fusion reactions occurs only in the deep interior of the Sun (and other stars)because:

Which event is NOT a consequence of a coronal mass ejection event from the Sun that is aimed toward Earth?

A coronal hole shows up most prominently on what kind of photograph?

Which phenomenon on the Sun does NOT appear to be a source of particles traveling out into the solar system from the Sun?

The strength of the magnetic field in a sunspot is estimated from Earth by:

Figure 9-5 in Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.,shows an image taken through a filter that passes the red Hα hydrogen line and blocks other wavelengths.Why does this image show the chromosphere but not the photosphere?

Energy is transported from the center of the Sun to the surface by:

What is the corona on the Sun?

The differential rotation of the Sun causes the magnetic fields in its interior to become tangled.According to the Babcock model of the solar activity cycle,what happens to these tangled magnetic fields?

The photosphere is cooler than the chromosphere.How does this influence the spectral characteristics of the Hα line,the prominent red line in the hydrogen spectrum?

An arching column of gas suspended over a sunspot group is called a:

A typical sunspot group lasts:

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

What is the Zeeman effect?

The word chromosphere refers to a:

The HIGHEST temperatures in the Sun are found in the:

The photosphere of the Sun is the:

The approximate temperature of the visible surface of the Sun is:

One particular feature of the solar corona is its:

What is the faint young Sun paradox?

Thermonuclear fusion reactions in the core of the Sun convert four hydrogen atoms into one helium atom.The helium atom has:

Hydrogen "burning" by fusion reactions occurs only in the deep interior of the Sun (and other stars)because:

Which event is NOT a consequence of a coronal mass ejection event from the Sun that is aimed toward Earth?

A coronal hole shows up most prominently on what kind of photograph?

Which phenomenon on the Sun does NOT appear to be a source of particles traveling out into the solar system from the Sun?

The strength of the magnetic field in a sunspot is estimated from Earth by:

Figure 9-5 in Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.,shows an image taken through a filter that passes the red Hα hydrogen line and blocks other wavelengths.Why does this image show the chromosphere but not the photosphere?

Energy is transported from the center of the Sun to the surface by:

What is the corona on the Sun?

The differential rotation of the Sun causes the magnetic fields in its interior to become tangled.According to the Babcock model of the solar activity cycle,what happens to these tangled magnetic fields?

The photosphere is cooler than the chromosphere.How does this influence the spectral characteristics of the Hα line,the prominent red line in the hydrogen spectrum?

An arching column of gas suspended over a sunspot group is called a:

A typical sunspot group lasts:

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