Review Questions
1. In what way does the Sun support all life on Earth?
Answer: The sun provides light and heat, which we need for growing plants and crops.
2. Which two elements make up the Sun almost in entirety?
Answer: Helium and Hydrogen.
3. Which process is the source of heat in the Sun and where does it take place?
Answer: Nuclear fusion and it takes place in the core.
4. Why would human astronauts on a trip to Mars need to be concerned about solar wind? What is solar wind?
Answer: A solar flare releases solar wind, or highly energetic particles that are dangerous to humans because they carry radiation.
5. Describe how movements in the convection zone contribute to solar flares.
Answer: Because the sun rotates, the plasma in the convection zone also moves creating an electric current and a solar magnetic field. If a plasma loop of the sun's magnetic field snaps, (Much like a rubber band), it creates a solar flare.
6. Do you think fusion reactions in the Sun’s core will continue forever and go on with no end? Explain your answer.
Answer: We think that the fusion in the sun's core will not go on forever because the fusion in the sun happens when hydrogen combines with itself to create helium but eventually the sun will run out of hydrogen.
Answer: The sun provides light and heat, which we need for growing plants and crops.
2. Which two elements make up the Sun almost in entirety?
Answer: Helium and Hydrogen.
3. Which process is the source of heat in the Sun and where does it take place?
Answer: Nuclear fusion and it takes place in the core.
4. Why would human astronauts on a trip to Mars need to be concerned about solar wind? What is solar wind?
Answer: A solar flare releases solar wind, or highly energetic particles that are dangerous to humans because they carry radiation.
5. Describe how movements in the convection zone contribute to solar flares.
Answer: Because the sun rotates, the plasma in the convection zone also moves creating an electric current and a solar magnetic field. If a plasma loop of the sun's magnetic field snaps, (Much like a rubber band), it creates a solar flare.
6. Do you think fusion reactions in the Sun’s core will continue forever and go on with no end? Explain your answer.
Answer: We think that the fusion in the sun's core will not go on forever because the fusion in the sun happens when hydrogen combines with itself to create helium but eventually the sun will run out of hydrogen.