Layers of the Sun
The Visible layer of the Sun
Photosphere
This element makes up 28% of the sun's mass
Helium
Violent eruptions of particles and radiation from the surface of the sun
Solar flares
What are the two variables studied on an H-R Diagram?
Luminosity and Temperature
What stage of a massive star is made up almost entirely of neutrons and very dense? (it's the last stage)
Neutron star
The outermost layer of the Sun, only visible under certain circumstances. Name comes from a word meaning crown.
Corona
The two most abundant elements in the Sun.
Hydrogen and Helium.
The amount of energy emitted by a star.
Luminosity / absolute magnitude
What category of Star on an H-R diagram is 10^-3 Luminosity and 15,000K?
White dwarf
What is the first stage in forming both a main sequence star and a massive star?
Stellar Nebula
Innermost region of the Sun, where temperatures may reach 15 million K.
Core
Charged particles become separated from their electrons and creates a different form of matter called this
Plasma
The brightness of a star from a distance of 10 pc
Absolute Magnitude
On an H-R diagram, what variable is plotted on the x / horizontal axis.
Temperature
When the cores of red giants and supergiants get too big and dense it’s time for them to die. Outer layers shed to create a planetary nebula. What is left?
White dwarf
In this layer of the Sun, energy is transported as hot plasma rises and cooler plasma sinks (convection current).
Convection zone
How many trace elements make up the rest of the sun?
8
Classification based on spectral lines and temperature
Spectral type
On an H-R diagram, what variable is on the y / vertical axis?
Luminosity
A star spends about 90% of its lifetime in this stage
Main sequence
This layer of the Sun was previously only visible during an eclipse. In the 17th century, observers described it as a narrow red streak, thus giving it a name meaning "colored streak".
Chromosphere
A reaction where atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.
nuclear fusion
What percentage of the Sun is composed of hydrogen (by mass)? (I will accept it if it is within 2%).
70.4%
What category of star on the H-R diagram has a low surface temperature, but a high luminosity.
Giants
In this stage of a massive star's life cycle, there is enough mass for fusion to make carbon and oxygen. Cores are hot enough to fuse IRON
Red supergiant