sun Flashcards
1/30/24
movement of an object in a circular/elliptical course around another object
revolution
circular motion of an object around its center
rotation
unit of measurement
distance from the center of the earth to the center of the sun
astronomical unit
luminous spheroid of plasma held together by self-gravity
star
center of the solar system; massive hot ball of plasma inflated by energy
sun
shows the position of the sun at the same time of so many days
analemma
converts hydrogen into helium by reactions with carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen
thermonuclear fusion
balance between inward gravity force and outward hot gas
hydrostatic equilibrium
cooler and darker spots on the suns surface
sunspots
suns equator rotates faster than the poles of the sun
differential rotation
convection from inside the sun causes the photosphere to be divided into cells
granules
dense clouds of material above syns surface by magnetic loops
solar prominences
large explosions on the surface of the sun
solar flares
huge bubbles of gas threaded with magnetic field lines
Coronal Mass Ejections
continuous flow of charged particles from the sun in every direction
solar wind
layer where hydrogen fusion occurs
core
layer where energy from the core radiates outward to a distance of 0.7
radiative zone
layer where responsible for energy transport to the suns outer layers
convection zone
layer where sun emits most of its visible light
photosphere
layer where its hotter, less dense gas and has a reddish color
chromosphere
layer where gases are hot but have the lowest density
corona
What are the 3 most common elements in the sun?
Hydrogen
Helium
Magnesium
Why is the sun’s core the perfect environment for fusion to occur
The very high temperature and pressure in the sun’s core allows the nuclear reaction fusion to occur.
What happens during a solar maximum?
large numbers of sunspots appear, and the solar irradiance output grows by about 0.07%.