Download Sun

Unit 5
Lesson 5-1
What is the
Sun?
I.
Stars
A.
Star – huge sphere/ball of hot
gases
B.
The Sun – star at center of solar
system
1.
looks like a large ball of light
2. Medium sized star made of
hydrogen & helium
3. Source of most energy on
Earth
4. Responsible for wind/weather
on Earth
C.
D.
Ways to classify stars:
1.
color – blue, white, yellow,
orange, red
a. blue – hottest
b. red – coolest
2. brightness –
a. how far from Earth –
closest (sun) brightest
b. size of star – sun is average
Sun is larger than anything else in
solar system
II. Features of the Sun
A.
Layers of the sun (from inside out)
1.
Core – The very center where
fusion takes place creating
energy. (heat and light)
Most of the Sun’s mass is here.
2.
Radiation Zone – The largest
area. Heat travels outward
from the core.
3.
4.
surface
5.
http://nexus.polaris.net/services/imagearchive/space/sol//eclip91e.jpg
Convection Zone – Heat swirls
around. It cools off near the
surface and falls towards the
radiation zone. Then it heats back
up and rises to the surface.
Photosphere – (circle of light)
This is the outer visible
of the sun. It contains many
unique features.
Corona / Chromosphere – The
atmosphere around the sun. Its
outer glow which is only visible
during an eclipse.
B. Features of the Sun’s Surface
1.
Granules – bright hot areas
2. Sun Spots – dark cool areas
3. Solar Flares - bursts of energy that
stretch from the sun
III. How the Sun Produces Energy
A.
The Sun makes energy by fusion.
1.
Hydrogen molecules (H2)
smash together to make helium
(He) and energy.
B.
Energy travels to the Earth in
Waves.
1.
There are many different
kinds of waves.
2. Visible light is the set of waves
in the middle.
(ROY G BIV)
C.
Energy waves from Low to High:
(Less energy to more energy
1)Radio Waves
2)Microwaves
3)Infrared waves
4)Visible light
5)Ultraviolet
6)X-Rays
7)Gamma Rays