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Unit 8
The Sun Notes
Term | Definition |
---|---|
corona | the outer atmosphere of the sun. |
chromosphere | the middle layer of the sun’s atmosphere. |
photosphere | the visible surface of the sun. |
convective zone | the layer of the sun through which energy travels by convection from the radiative zone to the photosphere. |
radiative zone | the layer of the sun through which energy is transferred away from the core by radiation. |
core | the very dense center of the sun. |
Nuclear fusion | the process by which two or more low-mass atomic nuclei fuse to form a heavier nucleus. |
radiation | the process by which energy is transferred as electromagnetic waves. |
convection | the process in which heat is transferred by the circulation or movement of matter. |
Differential rotation | the rotation of a body in which different parts of a body have different periods of rotation. |
sunspots | dark areas that form on the surface of the sun. |
solar flare | an explosive release of energy that can extend outward as far as the sun’s outer atmosphere. |
prominences | huge loops of relatively cool gas that extend outward from the photosphere thousands of kilometers into the outer atmosphere. |