Study Questions Week 13

The Sun

Describe the different regions of the sun. Which parts form the interior? Which parts are considered the atmosphere? What are the main characteristics of each region?

What are the basic properties of the sun: composition, average density, mass and radius compared to Earth, surface temperature, and interior temperature?

What is "helioseismology"?

What are solar oscillations?

What information about the sun can be learned by studying solar oscillations?

What is "granulation"? How is it related to energy transport in the sun?

What is the solar wind? From where does it originate?

Describe flares and prominences. Which is more energetic?

What are the consequences of solar flares on Earth?

Discuss the solar cycle. It is 11 years or 22 years?

What are sunspots?

How is energy produced in the sun?

What are solar neutrinos?

Why are neutrinos expected form the sun?

How are neutrinos detected?

Since neutrinos are observed to be coming from the sun, what is the "solar neutrino problem"?

What are the two main possible explanations of the problem? Which seems to be the correct answer?

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