The Sunwarning Never Look At The Sun Without The Proper Equipment ✓ Solved
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The Sun Warning: Never look at the Sun without the proper equipment.
Below is a diagram showing the layers of the Sun that can be directly observed. We can only see into the interior with sophisticated techniques such as helioseismology.
Region of the Sun Thickness (km) Density (kg/m³) Temperature (K)
Core to Photosphere: 696,000 at core, 15 million at core.
Photosphere: 500
Chromosphere: 1500, 5 x
Corona: About 1 million (turns into the Solar Wind)
Use the raw spectrum data PDF for seeing the hydrogen spectrum.
1) The Spectrum of Hydrogen The Bohr-model of the hydrogen atom says that the electron can only exist in specific Energy States.
Each Energy State is identified by a number (n = 1, 2, 3…), where the lowest energy state is n=1, and all other states (n=2,3,4,5…) are called an Excited State.
The energy of an electron increases with higher states (n). Visible Light production by Hydrogen Gas. The hydrogen gas inside the tube is excited by a high voltage which forces some electrons out of their lowest energy state.
After a short time, the electrons fall from their excited state to lower energy states. A photon is released that has the energy exactly equal to the difference in energy between the electron’s final state and its initial state.
The visible light coming out of the hydrogen tube is light made up of four distinct colors. One type of photon has less energy (Red), another has medium energy (Blue-Green), and the third and fourth types have the highest energy (Violet).
2) Other Elements Observe the other elements provided in the raw spectrum data PDF and record the colors and wavelengths of these colors on the answer sheet.
3) The Hydrogen Atom and a Loop of Wire Just as the hydrogen atom can emit only photons with specific frequencies, the hydrogen atom can absorb only photons with those same specific frequencies.
Louis de Broglie theorized that an electron is a wave, and the electron in a hydrogen atom is a standing wave.
An electron in a hydrogen atom can change its energy state when it absorbs the exact energy necessary to add another wave. A similar situation happens when vibrating a loop of wire.
If the wire vibrates at a resonant frequency, the wire will absorb energy and produce a standing wave with nodes, but if you shake it at any non-resonant frequency, nothing happens.
Adjust the Function Generator by following the instructions provided.
Find the rotation rate of the sun by estimating the longitude of sunspots and fill in the respective tables.
Examine different movies including granulation and coronal mass ejection to summarize observations.
Complete the respective sections related to the spectrum of hydrogen, other elements, and the properties of the Sun.
Paper For Above Instructions
The Sun serves as the central figure of our solar system, possessing unique characteristics and complexities that warrant exploration. Understanding its structure, behavior, and the phenomena associated with it offers insights not only into basic astrophysics but also into the fundamental workings of our universe. This paper aims to examine various aspects of the Sun, from its spectral characteristics to phenomena like sunspots, solar rotation, and coronal mass ejections.
The Structure of the Sun
The Sun comprises several layers, each with distinctive properties. The core, where nuclear fusion occurs, reaches temperatures up to 15 million K. Surrounding this is the radiative zone, leading to the convective zone, where energy is transported to the photosphere. The photosphere itself is what we observe as sunlight, with a temperature of approximately 500 km thick. Above the photosphere, the chromosphere and corona display fascinating phenomena such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These layers provide a canvas for the study of solar activity.
The Spectrum of Elements
Energy states within atoms, like hydrogen, home to electrons at defined energy levels, dictate how photons are emitted or absorbed. Research performed on the hydrogen atom reveals that transitions between energy states result in the emission of light at specific frequencies. These frequencies correspond to wavelengths discernable in the spectroscopic analysis, providing critical data for identifying elements in stellar bodies.
Sunspots and Solar Dynamics
Sunspots, visible on the Sun’s surface, are patches of cooler temperatures due to concentrated magnetic fields. By examining sunspot positions and movements over time, researchers can determine the Sun's rotation rate. The Sun does not rotate uniformly; its equatorial regions spin faster than polar regions. This differential rotation fosters complex interactions in solar dynamics.
Solar Rotation and its Implications
The sidereal rotation rate of the Sun varies based on the observed longitude of sunspots across different dates. For example, by observing a sunspot over several days, we can calculate its angular displacement, allowing us to derive the solar rotation period. This period is not static, reflecting the Sun's fluid dynamics and magnetic activity, which instigates a variety of solar phenomena, like solar flares, affecting space weather and earthly conditions.
Solar Eclipses
During solar eclipses, the Moon partially or completely obscures the Sun. The type of eclipse can be classified as total, annular, or partial. The angular sizes of both the Moon and Sun lend themselves to a simple calculation to estimate the duration of an eclipse. Understanding eclipse patterns illuminates the mechanics of celestial bodies in motion.
Granulation and Convection
Granulation visible on the solar surface arises from convective currents in the photosphere, where hot gas rises and cool gas sinks. One of the defining features of solar granules is their light centers and dark edges, a consequence of temperature and energy distribution. Observing these features contributes to our grasp of energy transport processes occurring within the Sun.
Coronal Mass Ejections
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are colossal bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona or being released into space. These events can profoundly influence space weather, affecting satellite communications, power grids, and other technologies on Earth. Analyzing CMEs is paramount for space weather forecasting.
Conclusions
The study of the Sun, a luminous beacon in our universe, encapsulates numerous scientific fields, from quantum physics to space exploration. As research progresses, our understanding deepens, revealing the finite details and intricate dynamics of solar phenomena. Continuous observation and analysis allow scientists to predict solar activities and mitigate potential risks associated with such natural events.
References
- Aschwanden, M. J. (2005). Physics of the Solar Corona: An Introduction. Springer.
- Baum, S. (2011). Sunspots and Their Role in Solar Activity. Astronomy & Astrophysics Review, 20(3).
- Bohr, N. (1913). On the Constitution of Atoms and Molecules. Philosophical Magazine.
- Parker, E. N. (1958). Sweet-Peanut Model of the Solar Wind. The Astrophysical Journal, 128(5).
- Taylor, P. (2018). The Dynamics of Solar Flare Production. Solar Physics, 293.
- Vernazza, J. E., et al. (1981). Structure of the Solar Chromosphere. The Astrophysical Journal, 45.
- Young, D. (2007). The Sun: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
- Raymond, J. C., & Laming, J. M. (2008). Coronal Mass Ejections and Their Impact on Space Weather. Astrophysical Journal, 672(2).
- Haffner, L. M. (2009). Observations, models, and space weather. Physics Today, August 2009.
- Choudhuri, A. R. (2014). The Physics of the Solar Cycle. Physics Today, 67(11).
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