Question 1

The solar neutrino problem was solved by postulating that neutrinos have a small mass and oscillate between three different types of neutrino.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

When, during its 11-year cycle, is the Sun most luminous? What might this have to do with the Maunder Minimum?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is most luminous during solar ma

Question 3

The Sun's magnetic field reverses direction every:

Accepted Answer

A)  24 hours 
B)  27 days 
C)  12 months 
D)  11 years 
E)  22 years 
A)  24 hours 
B)  27 days 
C)  12 months 
D)  11 years 
E)  22 years

Question 4

In the text we considered the case of a "too-large" Sun. Show that a star with the same mass, composition, radius, and luminosity as the Sun, but with a higher temperature (that is, a "too-hot" Sun), also leads to a contradiction.

Accepted Answer

If the temperature is higher, more energ

Question 5

Which of these can travel directly from the center of the Sun to Earth in about 8 minutes?

Accepted Answer

A)  photons 
B)  electrons 
C)  protons 
D)  neutrons 
E)  neutrinos 
A)  photons 
B)  electrons 
C)  protons 
D)  neutrons 
E)  neutrinos

Question 6

If the Sun converts 5 * 1011 kg of H to He per second and the mass of a single hydrogen nucleus is 1.7 *10-27 kg, how many net proton-proton reactions go on per second in the Sun? What is the luminosity produced if the mass difference between a single helium nucleus and four hydrogen nuclei is 4 *10-29 kg? Note that 1 Watt * 1 m2 kg/s3.

Accepted Answer

A)  7 *1037 reactions per sec; 3 * 1026 Watt 
B)  3*1038 reactions per sec; 1027 Watt 
C)  3 * 1038 reactions per sec; 4 * 1026 Watt 
D)  7 *1037 reactions per sec; 5 * 1025 Watt 
E)  3 * 1037 reactions per sec; 6* 1024 Watt 
A)  7 *1037 reactions per sec; 3 * 1026 Watt 
B)  3*1038 reactions per sec; 1027 Watt 
C)  3 * 1038 reactions per sec; 4 * 1026 Watt 
D)  7 *1037 reactions per sec; 5 * 1025 Watt 
E)  3 * 1037 reactions per sec; 6* 1024 Watt

Question 7

If a sunspot is half as bright as the surrounding photosphere of the Sun, what is the approximate temperature of the gas in the sunspot if the photosphere's average temperature is 5800 K?

Accepted Answer

Using the Stefan-Boltzmann law

Question 8

The Sun exhibits differential rotation. Explain what differential rotation is. Which planets also do this? Why don't the others?

Accepted Answer

Differential rotation means that the equ

The solar neutrino problem was solved by postulating that neutrinos have a small mass and oscillate between three different types of neutrino.

When, during its 11-year cycle, is the Sun most luminous? What might this have to do with the Maunder Minimum?

The Sun's magnetic field reverses direction every:

In the text we considered the case of a "too-large" Sun. Show that a star with the same mass, composition, radius, and luminosity as the Sun, but with a higher temperature (that is, a "too-hot" Sun), also leads to a contradiction.

Which of these can travel directly from the center of the Sun to Earth in about 8 minutes?

If a sunspot is half as bright as the surrounding photosphere of the Sun, what is the approximate temperature of the gas in the sunspot if the photosphere's average temperature is 5800 K?

The Sun exhibits differential rotation. Explain what differential rotation is. Which planets also do this? Why don't the others?

Why Learn Astronomy

Patterns in the Skymotions of Earth

Motion of Astronomical Bodies

Gravity and Orbits

Light

The Tools of the Astronomer

The Birth and Evolution of Planetary Systems

The Terrestrial Planets and Earths Moon

Atmospheres of the Terrestrial Planets

Worlds of Gas and Liquid the Giant Planets

Planetary Adornmentsmoons and Rings

Dwarf Planets and Small Solar System Bodies

Taking the Measure of Stars

Star Formation and the Interstellar Medium

Evolution of Low-Mass Stars

Evolution of High-Mass Stars

Relativity and Black Holes

The Expanding Universe

Galaxies

The Milky Waya Normal Spiral Galaxy

Modern Cosmology

Large-Scale Structure in the Universe

Life

Filters

Exam 14: Our Starthe Sun

The solar neutrino problem was solved by postulating that neutrinos have a small mass and oscillate between three different types of neutrino.

When, during its 11-year cycle, is the Sun most luminous? What might this have to do with the Maunder Minimum?

The Sun's magnetic field reverses direction every:

In the text we considered the case of a "too-large" Sun. Show that a star with the same mass, composition, radius, and luminosity as the Sun, but with a higher temperature (that is, a "too-hot" Sun), also leads to a contradiction.

Which of these can travel directly from the center of the Sun to Earth in about 8 minutes?

If a sunspot is half as bright as the surrounding photosphere of the Sun, what is the approximate temperature of the gas in the sunspot if the photosphere's average temperature is 5800 K?

The Sun exhibits differential rotation. Explain what differential rotation is. Which planets also do this? Why don't the others?

Why Learn Astronomy

Patterns in the Skymotions of Earth

Motion of Astronomical Bodies

Gravity and Orbits

Light

The Tools of the Astronomer

The Birth and Evolution of Planetary Systems

The Terrestrial Planets and Earths Moon

Atmospheres of the Terrestrial Planets

Worlds of Gas and Liquid the Giant Planets

Planetary Adornmentsmoons and Rings

Dwarf Planets and Small Solar System Bodies

Taking the Measure of Stars

Star Formation and the Interstellar Medium

Evolution of Low-Mass Stars

Evolution of High-Mass Stars

Relativity and Black Holes

The Expanding Universe

Galaxies

The Milky Waya Normal Spiral Galaxy

Modern Cosmology

Large-Scale Structure in the Universe

Life

Filters