The six regions of the Sun are the core, the radiative zone, the convective zone, the photosphere, the chromosphere, and the corona. The core is at the center of the Sun, while the corona is the outermost region of the Sun.
2. What is nuclear fusion? What role does nuclear fusion play in the Sun?
Nuclear fusion is when two atomic nuclei combine into one heavier nucleus. Nuclear fusion plays the role of providing energy for the Sun. This energy is created as nuclear fusion occurs following the steps of the proton-proton chain reaction.
3. How are sunspots and solar flares similar? How are they different?
Sunspots and solar flares are similar in the way that magnetic fields are involved, or are believed to be involved with both occurrences. Sunspots occur where areas with strong magnetic fields are located, while solar flares are believed to happen due to …show more content…
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse is when the Sun is hidden behind the Moon; the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun from view. These only occur during a new moon, at which time the Moon is seen as a silhouette when passing infront of the Sun. There are total eclipses, where the Moon completely covers the Sun, and partial eclipses, where the Moon only covers part of the …show more content…
What is the proton-proton chain reaction? Describe this process.
The proton-proton chain reaction is the process which creates energy during nuclear fusion. During this process, two hydrogen nuclei fuse together and a deuterium nucleus, which has one proton and one neutron, is formed. A neutrino is created, too. Then, the deuterium nucleus fuses with another proton and forms the nucleus of helium-3, with two protons and one neutron, during which time a gamma ray photon is released. Finally, two helium-3 fuse together and create helium-4 with two protons and two neutrons.
3. How does the Sun manage to maintain an environment in its core that is conducive to nuclear