Question 1

The fact that the surface of the Sun rings like a bell lets us understand its interior better.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Calculate the amount of energy released by converting 4 hydrogen atoms into 1 helium atom.The mass of a hydrogen atom is   ;the mass of a helium atom is   .The speed of light is   .

Accepted Answer

First,we need to calculate the

Question 3

What is "limb darkening"? Explain why limb darkening occurs in the Sun.

Accepted Answer

Limb darkening means that the edges of t

Question 4

Sunspots generally occur in pairs with opposite polarity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

In the proton-proton chain,the net result is that 4 protons are converted into 1 helium nucleus and energy,electrons,and neutrinos are released.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

In the radiative zone inside the Sun,photons are transported from the core to the convective zone in a matter of seconds.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

We know the corona of the Sun is very hot because

Accepted Answer

A)  we observe it emitting large amounts of radio emission. 
B)  the chromosphere and the photosphere are so hot. 
C)  we observe absorption from highly ionized atoms of iron and calcium. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  we observe it emitting large amounts of radio emission. 
B)  the chromosphere and the photosphere are so hot. 
C)  we observe absorption from highly ionized atoms of iron and calcium. 
D)  All of the above

Question 8

How do periods of strong solar activity affect near-Earth orbiting spacecraft?

Accepted Answer

At solar maxima,the amount of extreme ul

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a result of an increase in solar activity?

Accepted Answer

A)  The height of orbiting satellites decreases. 
B)  Airplanes have trouble navigating. 
C)  Stronger auroras are seen. 
D)  All of the above can be caused by increased solar activity. 
A)  The height of orbiting satellites decreases. 
B)  Airplanes have trouble navigating. 
C)  Stronger auroras are seen. 
D)  All of the above can be caused by increased solar activity.

Question 10

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 11

What are the three ways in which energy could be transported within a star (or to your fingers)? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

Radiative-via electromagnetic radiation;

Question 12

Neutrinos are particles with small masses that interact easily with normal matter.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Maunder Minimum was a 60-year period when

Accepted Answer

A)  debris thrown up in a comet collision blanketed out the Sun. 
B)  almost no sunspots occurred on the Sun. 
C)  the Voyager 2 spacecraft traversed the heliopause. 
D)  no dust storms occurred on Mars. 
A)  debris thrown up in a comet collision blanketed out the Sun. 
B)  almost no sunspots occurred on the Sun. 
C)  the Voyager 2 spacecraft traversed the heliopause. 
D)  no dust storms occurred on Mars.

Question 14

Explain why the solution to the solar neutrino problem is an excellent example of how observations drive the evolution of science.

Accepted Answer

The standard model of the Sun predicted

Question 15

If neutrinos oscillated between five different types of neutrino during their transit from the Sun to Earth,then how many neutrinos would we have detected compared to what was emitted by the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  One-third as many. 
B)  One-fourth as many. 
C)  One-fifth as many. 
D)  We would detect no neutrinos. 
A)  One-third as many. 
B)  One-fourth as many. 
C)  One-fifth as many. 
D)  We would detect no neutrinos.

Question 16

The interior zones of the Sun are distinguished by

Accepted Answer

A)  jumps in density between zones. 
B)  their temperature profiles. 
C)  their modes of energy transport. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  jumps in density between zones. 
B)  their temperature profiles. 
C)  their modes of energy transport. 
D)  All of the above

Question 17

If coronal holes covered a larger fraction of the Sun's surface,the solar wind would contain a higher density of particles.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The energy that fuels the Sun is generated

Accepted Answer

A)  only on its surface. 
B)  only in its core. 
C)  both in its core and on its surface. 
D)  in its core,on the surface,and in the solar wind. 
A)  only on its surface. 
B)  only in its core. 
C)  both in its core and on its surface. 
D)  in its core,on the surface,and in the solar wind.

Question 19

We can determine how the density changes with radius in the Sun using

Accepted Answer

A)  radar observations. 
B)  neutrino detections. 
C)  high-energy (gamma ray)observations. 
D)  helioseismology. 
A)  radar observations. 
B)  neutrino detections. 
C)  high-energy (gamma ray)observations. 
D)  helioseismology.

Question 20

Why is hydrogen burning the main energy source for main-sequence stars?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hydrogen is the most common element in stars. 
B)  Hydrogen nuclei have the smallest positive charge. 
C)  Hydrogen burning is the most efficient of all fusion or fission reactions. 
D)  All the above are valid reasons. 
A)  Hydrogen is the most common element in stars. 
B)  Hydrogen nuclei have the smallest positive charge. 
C)  Hydrogen burning is the most efficient of all fusion or fission reactions. 
D)  All the above are valid reasons.

Exam 14: A Run-Of-The-Mill G-Type Starour Sun

The fact that the surface of the Sun rings like a bell lets us understand its interior better.

Calculate the amount of energy released by converting 4 hydrogen atoms into 1 helium atom.The mass of a hydrogen atom is ;the mass of a helium atom is .The speed of light is .

What is "limb darkening"? Explain why limb darkening occurs in the Sun.

Sunspots generally occur in pairs with opposite polarity.

In the proton-proton chain,the net result is that 4 protons are converted into 1 helium nucleus and energy,electrons,and neutrinos are released.

In the radiative zone inside the Sun,photons are transported from the core to the convective zone in a matter of seconds.

We know the corona of the Sun is very hot because

How do periods of strong solar activity affect near-Earth orbiting spacecraft?

Which of the following is NOT a result of an increase in solar activity?

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

What are the three ways in which energy could be transported within a star (or to your fingers)? Explain your answer.

Neutrinos are particles with small masses that interact easily with normal matter.

Maunder Minimum was a 60-year period when

Explain why the solution to the solar neutrino problem is an excellent example of how observations drive the evolution of science.

If neutrinos oscillated between five different types of neutrino during their transit from the Sun to Earth,then how many neutrinos would we have detected compared to what was emitted by the Sun?

The interior zones of the Sun are distinguished by

If coronal holes covered a larger fraction of the Sun's surface,the solar wind would contain a higher density of particles.

The energy that fuels the Sun is generated

We can determine how the density changes with radius in the Sun using

Why is hydrogen burning the main energy source for main-sequence stars?

Why Learn Astronomy

Patterns in the Skymotions of Earth

Gravity and Orbitsa Celestial Ballet

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 Liquidthe Giant Planets

Gravity Is More Than Keplers Laws

Planetary Adornmentsmoons and Rings

Dwarf Planets and Small Solar System Bodies

Taking the Measure of Stars

Star Formation and the Interstellar Medium

Stars in the Slow Lanelow-Mass Stellar Evolution

Live Fast,die Younghigh-Mass Stellar Evolution

Our Expanding Universe

Galaxies

The Milky Waya Normal Spiral Galaxy

Modern Cosmology

The Origin of Structure

Life

Filters