Question: At the center of the Sun, fusion converts hydrogen into:
Answer Choices:
Hydrogen compounds
Helium
Radiation and elements like carbon and nitrogen
Radioactive elements like uranium and plutonium
Helium, energy, and neutrinos
Answer: Helium, energy, and neutrinos
Question: The first step in the proton-proton chain produces an antielectron, or positron. What happens to the positron?
Answer Choices:
It slowly works its way to the Sun’s surface, where it escapes into space.
It rapidly escapes from the Sun, traveling into space at nearly the speed of light.
It is rapidly converted to energy when it meets an ordinary electron, resulting in matter-antimatter annihilation.
It quickly reacts with a neutron to form a proton.
Answer: It is rapidly converted to energy when it meets an ordinary electron, resulting in matter-antimatter annihilation.
Question: From the center outward, which of the following lists the “layers” of the Sun in the correct order?
Answer Choices:
core, radiation zone, convection zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere
core, convection zone, radiation zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona
core, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona
core, convection zone, radiation zone, corona, chromosphere, photosphere
Answer: core, radiation zone, convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere, corona
Question: How do we know what goes on under the surface of the Sun?
Answer Choices:
We have X-ray images from satellites of the interior of the Sun.
Astronomers create mathematical models that use the laws of physics and the Sun’s observed composition.
We have sent probes below the surface of the Sun.
By both creating mathematical models and measuring Doppler shifts.
Answer: By both creating mathematical models and measuring Doppler shifts.
Question: Which layer of the Sun do we normally see with our unaided eye?
Answer Choices:
photosphere
corona
radiation zone
chromosphere
convection zone
Answer: photosphere
Question: The overall fusion reaction by which the Sun currently produces energy is:
Answer Choices:
3H → 3He + energy
4H → 1He + energy
6H → 1He + energy
3He → 1C + energy
Answer: 4H → 1He + energy
Question: How do human-built nuclear power plants on Earth generate energy?
Answer Choices:
Chemical reactions
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fission
Converting kinetic energy into electricity
Converting gravitational potential energy into electricity
Answer: Nuclear fission
Question: Hydrogen fusion in the Sun requires a temperature (in Kelvin) of:
Answer Choices:
Thousands of degrees
Millions of degrees
Billions of degrees
Any temperature, as long as gravity is strong enough
Answer: Millions of degrees