Warm-up

Write at least three facts about the picture above.

 Objectives
Learning Target: Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the
life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to
release energy in the form of radiation.

Success Criteria:
Create a model to show the structure of the sun.
Describe how helium and energy is created through fusion processes
in the sun using hydrogen as its fuel source.
Explain that the sun (like all stars) has a lifespan based on initial mass
and that our sun’s life span is about 10 billion years.
Using a model, predict how the relative proportions of hydrogen to
helium change as the sun ages.
 Literacy: The Sun
While you read…
Circle important vocabulary terms
Using 3 colors, highlight sentences that
answer “Guide for Reading” Questions
Create Cornell notes to answer “Guide for
Reading” Questions
Complete Worksheet using information
from reading.
 Structure of the Sun
Objective: Create a model to show the
structure of the sun.
 Notes should include pictures and important
terms.
 We will discuss:
 Layers of the Sun
 Interior
 Exterior/Atmosphere
 Important features
 Layers of the Sun
 Sun’s interior
 Core – where hydrogen fusion happens.
 Radiative zone – energy carried toward
surface by radiation (as light).
 Convective zone – energy carried toward
surface by convection (as heat).
 Sun’s atmosphere
 Photosphere – lowest layer – emits visible
light – what we see.
 Chromosphere – middle layer – transparent.
 Corona – upper layer – transparent.
INTERIOR
of the Sun –
3 layers
ATMOSPHERE of the Sun – 3 layers
The bright visible surface of the Sun is
called the photosphere.

When looking at the Sun,

the edges appear orange
and darker than the
central yellow region.
This is known as limb
darkening.
Upon closer inspection, the Sun has a marbled pattern called
granulation, caused by the convection of gases just beneath the
photosphere.
During an eclipse, sometimes you can see the layers of the Sun’s
atmosphere just above the photosphere, which emits only certain
wavelengths of light, resulting in a reddish appearance. We call this the
sphere of color, or chromosphere.
The solar chromosphere is characterized by jets of gas
extending upward called spicules.
 THE SOLAR CORONA – source of the
Solar Wind

This x-ray image shows the million-

degree gases.
Seen in visible light during an
eclipse.
The Sun undergoes
differential rotation.
The rotation period of
the Sun’s gases varies
from 25 days in the
equatorial region to 35
days near the solar
poles.
Therefore, the magnetic field lines of the Sun become intertwined
after several rotations, creating regions of intense magnetic fields
and thus producing sunspots and other spectacular features.
 The Sun’s Magnetic Field Creates
Different Features
 Sunspots – areas of concentrated
magnetic field lines.
 Prominences – magnetic loops above
sunspots, can carry plasma (hot ionized
gas).
 Flares – twisted magnetic field lines relax
and release huge amounts of X-rays.
 Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) – twisted
magnetic field lines relax and release huge
amounts of plasma (up to 4 million mph).
 Sunspots

Overlapping
sunspots
Sunspots have two regions: the
inner, darker umbra and the outer
penumbra.
Sunspots are regions of intense magnetic fields
The number of sunspots on the photosphere varies
over an eleven-year cycle.

Sunspot Maximum Sunspot Minimum

Sunspots can be used
to determine the rate
of the sun’s rotation.
 Vital information about
Sunspots
 Areas of reduced temperature
 Visible from Earth
 Large Amount of Magnetic Activity
 Can affect electronics due to the amount
of geomagnetism produced.
Ionized gases trapped by magnetic fields form prominences
that arc far above the solar surface.
Sometimes these gases are ejected into space.
 Solar prominences
 Looping shape
 Relatively cool clouds of gas suspended
above the sun
 Controlled by magnetic forces
Violent eruptions called
solar flares release huge
amounts of X-rays. Solar
flares are often
associated with coronal
mass ejections.
 On the sun, coronal mass ejections occur when solar magnetic field
lines snake around each other, forming the letter "S". Usually, they go
past each other. But if they connect, it's like a short circuit. The mid-
section breaks loose and drives out a coronal mass ejection.
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) typically expel 2
trillion tons of plasma at up to 4 million mph.

An x-ray view of a It reaches Earth two to four days

coronal mass ejection later, and is fortunately deflected
by our magnetic field.
By following the trails of gases released during a
coronal mass ejection, we can map the Sun’s
magnetic field.
 Solar flares
 Exploding areas on the sun
 Releases huge amounts of energy
 Magnetic field and atmosphere protect
Earth from harmful effects
 Airline pilots and Astronauts are most impacted by
effects
 Cause Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
 Activity:  Be sure to label
 Solar flares
 Create a poster of the  Solar prominences
 Sunspots
Sun.
 Coronal Mass Projections
 Core
 Radiactive zone
 Convective zone
 Photosphere
 Chromosphere
 Corona
 Nuclear Fusion
 Objective: Describe how helium and
energy is created through fusion
processes in the sun using hydrogen as its
fuel source.
 Let’s Review Fusion!!
 Hydrogen is the fuel!!!
 Nuclei fuse to form Helium and energy as a
product
 Extreme temperatures are required for fusion
to occur due to the repulsive forces of the
nuclei (nuclei are positively charged)
 The sun is stable because the force of gravity
is balanced by the thermal pressure created
by the reactions in the core
The Sun is powered by thermonuclear fusion,
which converts hydrogen into helium. Matter
gets turned into energy in the process.
E = mc2
The Sun’s interior is held stable by a balance between
radiation pressure forces and gravity, in a condition
called hydrostatic equilibrium.

GRAVITY – pulls in

RADIATION PRESSURE FROM

HYDROGEN FUSION –
pushes out
THE SOLAR
INTERIOR
 Lifespan of the Sun
 Objective: Explain that the sun (like all
stars) has a lifespan based on initial mass
and that our sun’s life span is about 10
billion years.
 Our sun is a less massive star and will end as
a white dwarf.
 We are currently 5 billion years into its
lifespan
 Let’s watch a video to help us put all of this inf
ormation together!
 Aging Sun and Nuclear Energy
Objective: Using a model, predict how the
relative proportions of hydrogen to helium
change as the sun ages.
Two (2) Hydrogen atoms fuse to make One (1) Helium atom
theoretically but…
Energy is released as atoms fuse and thus mass is lost as
energy
It actually takes 4 Hydrogen atoms to make 1 Helium atom
 Time to Think!
 Let’s try to make sense of all of this!
 Read and complete the worksheet:
 How Does the Sun Get It’s Energy
 Then, read the article cited below
 Red Giant Stars: Facts, Definition & the Future of the
Sun. Retrieved September 11, 2016, from
http://www.space.com/22471-red-giant-stars.html
 Create a timeline to show the lifecycle of our sun
showing how hydrogen, helium, mass, fusion and
gravity play a role in the life and death of our sun.