Tides + Sun

What causes the differential gravitational forces on Earth due to the Moon?

The Moon's gravitational pull varies at different points on Earth due to varying distances and directions.

What shape does the Earth distort into due to the Moon's gravitational pull?

An Oblate Spheroid, resembling a football.

What is the effect of the Moon's gravitational pull on ocean water?

It creates tidal bulges, causing high and low tides.

What happens to water on the side of Earth opposite the Moon?

It also forms a tidal bulge due to the gravitational pull of the Moon.

What are Spring Tides?

Tides that occur during a Full Moon or New Moon when the Sun and Moon align, resulting in higher tides.

What are Neap Tides?

Tides that occur during the First Quarter or Last Quarter phases when the Sun's gravitational pull partially cancels that of the Moon, resulting in lower tides.

What is the primary mode of energy transport in the Sun?

The Radioactive Zone, located above the core.

What is the Convective Zone of the Sun?

The outermost layer of the Sun, approximately 200,000 km deep, that transports energy to the surface using convection cells.

What is the Photosphere?

The layer of the Sun where it becomes opaque and marks the boundary beyond which we cannot see.

What is Granulation in the context of the Sun?

The mottled appearance of the Photosphere, resembling grains of rice.

What is the Chromosphere?

The layer above the Photosphere that consists of outer gases and is hotter than the Photosphere.

What is the Corona of the Sun?

The hottest part of the Sun, which is not visible due to the brightness of the Photosphere.

What is Solar Wind?

A stream of charged particles (protons and electrons) that flows outward from the Sun into the solar system.

What is the significance of Coronal Holes?

They are relatively cool and quiet regions of the corona from which solar winds originate.

What is the principle of Conservation of Energy?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one type to another.

What is the equation that represents the equivalence of mass and energy?

E = mc².

What happens when a particle meets its corresponding antiparticle?

They annihilate each other.

What is Nuclear Fusion?

The process where atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process.

What is Nuclear Fission?

The process of breaking up heavy atomic nuclei into smaller ones, producing energy.

What is the Strong Nuclear Force?

The force that holds particles tightly together within an atomic nucleus.

What is the three-step process of nuclear reactions in the Sun?

Four hydrogen nuclei fuse to form a single helium nucleus, converting mass into energy.

What is a Positron?

An antimatter electron that carries a positive charge and appears during certain nuclear reactions.