AST101H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Solar Wind, Photosphere, Radiation Zone

• School: UTSG
• Department: Astronomy & Astrophysics
• Course: AST101H1
• Professor: Michael Reid

Document Summary

The structure and energy generation mechanism of the sun. Name the major parts of the sun, such as the core, photosphere, and corona. Apply the concept of hydrostatic equilibrium to the sun. Explain how the sun produces energy from matter. Describe the main nuclear reaction by which the sun generates energy. Explain the solar thermostat in detail and apply it to hypothetical cases to determine how the sun would respond to small changes in its internal conditions. Describe the origins of sunspots; describe the solar cycle and its effects on earth. Nuclear fusion; requires extremely high temperatures and densities. Gravitational equilibrium: equilibrium between the outward push of internal gas pressure and the inward pull of gravity. Energy balance: equilibrium between the rate at which fusion releases energy and the rate at which the sun"s surface radiates this energy into space. Hot ball of plasma - gas in which many of the atoms are ionized because of the high temperature.