CH 16

1. The standard solar model is a mathematical model that uses observational data and theoretical insights to describe the inner workings of the Sun. Two key parameters used in the standard solar model are temperature and density. If we assume that the Sun is in hydrostatic equilibrium, the model predicts that the Sun's temperature should decrease  and its density should  decrease from its core to its surface.

The Sun’s surface vibrates from internal pressure waves reflecting off of the photosphere and passing through the solar interior. Since these waves penetrate deep inside the Sun, an analysis of the vibrations these waves cause at the surface can reveal unique information about the solar interior. The science of studying the vibrations on the surface of the Sun is known as helioseismology. If you were a helioseismologist, which of the following observational methods could you use to obtain information about the solar interior?

The energy generated in the core of the Sun is transported to the surface by radiation in the radiation zone and then by convection in the convection zone. Radiation occurs when atoms in the interior of the Sun transfer energy by absorbing and reemitting photons in random directions. Convection occurs when energy is transported by a region of hot gas rising up and a region of cooler gas sinking down to take the place of the hotter gas. Since radiation takes place deep within the Sun’s interior, it cannot be directly observed. However, convection can be observed due to its effects on the solar surface. Which of the following surface features provide evidence for solar convection?

•  Nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium occurs in the core.

• 2. Energy moves through the Sun's convection zone by means of the rising of hot gas and falling of cooler gas.

• 3. Nearly all the visible light we see from the Sun is emitted from the photosphere.

• 4. Most of the Sun's ultraviolet light is emitted from the narrow layer called the chromosphere the where temperature increases with altitude.

• 5. We can see the Sun's corona most easily during total solar eclipses.

• 6. The radiation zone is the layer of the Sun between its core and convection zone

Which of the following layers of the Sun can be seen with some type of telescope? Consider all forms of light, but do not consider neutrinos or other particles.

Stellar nurseries, such as the Orion nebula, contain hundreds or more fragmenting and contracting regions, as well as many protostars and stars. What condition would allow a protostar to become a stable star?

Compared with Earth's diameter, the Sun's diameter is about

Overall, the Sun's average density is roughly the same as that of

If astronomers lived on Venus instead of on Earth, the solar constant they measure would be

According to the standard model of the Sun (Figure16.6 in the textbook), as the distance from the center increases, the density decreases

A typical solar granule is about the size of

As we move to greater and greater distances above the solar photosphere, the temperature in the Sun's atmosphere

The time between successive sunspot maxima is about a

The primary source of the Sun's energy is

Why does fusion only occur under conditions of extremely high temperature?

Which of the following is a particle produced in the proton-proton fusion reaction?

The solar neutrino problem is that

we detect more solar neutrinos than we expect.

we detect fewer solar neutrinos than we expect.

we detect the wrong type of neutrinos.

we can't detect solar neutrinos.