The Sun
What are the 4 layers of the sun?
Core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere
Which type of electromagnetic waves does the sun produce?
ALL!
Give 1 pro and 1 con for nuclear power plants.
PROS: doesn't contribute to pollution, doesn't cause black lung or mining accidents
CONS: produces radioactive byproducts, requires safety precautions
What color of light does our sun emit?
White!
What is a light year?
The distance light travels in one year
How does the sun compare in size to other stars?
"It is not the largest star in the universe, but it is really big by conventional standards."
What is a solar flare?
A large amount of high-energy particles released on the photosphere due to the sun's very strong magnetic field.
Describe the process of nuclear fusion, and explain what causes a chain reaction.
Define "Star magnitude," including the scale.
The brightness of a star on a scale of -8 to +17.
What is the name of the galaxy to which the earth belongs?
The Milky Way
90% Hydrogen, 10% Helium/other gases
What is in the core of the sun?
Hydrogen isotopes (Deuterium, Tritium) and Helium
Describe the process of nuclear fusion in the sun.
A deuterium and tritium nucleus collide and fuse together. This creates Helium-4, a neutron and a LOT of energy!
What is the most reliable distance-measuring method astronomers have?
The Parallax Method
Why don't we use nuclear fusion?
We have not mastered the process yet. Having a hard time recreating the intense heat/pressure in the sun's core. Uses too much energy to recreate, so the net energy is rather low.
Describe what occurs in the convective zone.
When nuclear fusion occurs in the core of the sun, what happens to the energy produced?
Some is used to heat core of the sun. Most is converted into photons that move to the radiative zone.
What is a critical mass?
The amount of isotope necessary to cause a chain reaction.
Which spectral letter represents long wavelengths of electromagnetic light?
M & K!
In a nuclear physics experiment, a 3He nucleus and a 2H collide to form 7Li and two neutrons. Is this nuclear fission or nuclear fusion?
Nuclear fusion! Two smaller nuclei combine to form a larger one.
What is the sun's mass?
"2 million trillion, trillion tons"
Where does the energy from nuclear fission or fusion come from?
Mass gets turned into energy!
E=mc2
Explain how a nuclear power plant produces energy and what could cause a meltdown.
Answers vary.
Name all of the spectral letters in order.
Oh Brother, A Fine Gorilla Keeps Moving
Name 3 different types of galaxies, and tell how they look
Spiral Galaxy: flat disk with spiral arms
Lenticular Galaxy: flat disk, but no arms
Elliptical Galaxy: glowing orb or sphere
Irregular: no clear shape