PSU Astro 7N Exam 2 Hydrogen and Helium What gases make up the sun?Magnetic Activity What causes sunspots?Helium-4 What is made from 4 protons during fusion in the sun?Deuterium Nucleus (and released energy) Step 1 of P-P Chain What forms when two protons collide at very high speeds?Helium-3 Nucleus Step 2 of P-P Chain When deuterium and a proton collide it makes this Helium-4 Nucleus (and 2 protons and energy) Step 3 of P-P Chain Two Helium-3 nuclei combine to make this 1 / 3
Deuterium
- proton and 1 neutron bound together
- protons and 1 neutron
- protons and 2 neutrons
Helium-3
Helium-4
Core Central part of sun High density and temperature Nuclear reactions occur here Gamma rays are produced here Radiative Zone Region in sun Photons are re-absorbed and re-emitted Convective Zone Region of the sun where gases circulate Light takes a week to get through 2 / 3
Photosphere The surface of the sun that we see Chromosphere Red/orange We see through it Flare An eruption coming out of the sun due to magnetic activity Prominence Hoop-shaped eruption out of the sun due to magnetic activity Corona Outer layer of sun Low density Only visible during solar eclipses Luminosity The true brightness of the star The absolute power output
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