Question

1. The Sun generates light by

a) chemical reactions in its core.

b) nuclear fission.

c) the conversion of gravitational potential energy.

d) nuclear fusion.

QUESTION 2

The fusion of elements heavier than iron

a) can't happen in stars.

b) produces more energy than it requires.

c)requires more energy than it produces.

d) is impossible.

QUESTION 3

Hydrostatic equilibrium in the Sun means

a) the Sun's core is presently dorment.

b) there is no flow of gas within the Sun.

c) gravitational and radiation forces cancel each other out.

d) all the water that used to be in the Sun has evaporated away.

QUESTION 4

Granulation of the Sun's photosphere is the result of

a) rising and sinking bubbles of gas.

b) turbulence in the radiative zone.

c) impacts of charged particles from other stars.

d) low resolution telescopes.

QUESTION 5

Neutrino detectors are located deep underground because

a) they need extreme shielding to prevent false detections.

b) they produce large amounts of harmful radiation.

c) they are full of toxic chemicals.

d) They don't have to be underground, but building them in abandoned mines saves a lot of money.

Answer 1

Question 1. d) nuclear fusion.

Sun generates light by nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms.

Question 2. c) requires more energy than it produces.

  The fusion of elements heavier than iron requires plenty of energy which is available in supernova explosions.

Question 3. c) gravitational and radiation forces cancel each other out.

Hydrostatic equilibrium in the Sun means, the force due to radiation exactly balances the force due to gravity.

Question 4. b) turbulence in the radiative zone.

  Granulation of the Sun's photosphere is the result of convection currents of plasma within the radiative zone.

Question 5. a) they need extreme shielding to prevent false detections.

Neutrino detectors are located deep underground to isolate the detector from cosmic rays and other background radiation so as to prevent false detections.