CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUN THE STRUCTURE OF THE SUN PHENOMENA ON THE SURFACE OF THE SUN EFFECTS OF THE PHENOMENA

ON THE SURFACE OF THE SUN ON THE EARTH HOW ENERGY IS GENERATED BY THE SUN

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUN

PROPERTIES Diameter Mass Density CHARACTERISTISC OF THE SUN 1 392 000 km 1.989 x 10 kg 1485 kg/m CHARACTERISTICS COMPARED TO EARTH 109 times the diameter of the earth 333 420 tomes the mass of the earth 0.27 times the density of the earth 227-273 times the temperature of the earth Oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and inert gases.

Surface temperature 5100-6000 C

Composition

Hydrogen (70% - 80%) And helium

STRUCTURE OF THE SUN

PHOTOSPHERE - The surface of the sun - It can be seen because it produces visible light. CHROMOSPHERE - It is invisible and can only be seen during a solar eclipse. - Gives off a reddish light. CORONA - The outermost layer of the Sun. - Can only be seen during a total solar eclipse. - The hottest layer and gives off a bluish-white light

PHENOMENA OCCURRING ON THE SURFACE OF THE SUN

 SUNSPOTS - Dark cool spots seen on the surface of the Sun. - Usually appear in pairs or groups. - Appear due to the concentration of the magnetic fields generated by the Sun. - Do not last more than a few weeks.  PROMINENCES - Bright-red arches or loops of hot gases carrying out from the surface of the Sun. - May erupt a few days after their formation.  FLARES - Solar Flares are explosions on the surface of the Sun. - The explosions reach very far out from the surface of the Sun. - Usually last for few minutes to a few hours.

THE EFFECT OF THE PHENOMENA ON THE SURFACE OF THE SUN ON THE EARTH
 The

appearance of the sunspots causes an increase in the formation of prominences and the occurrence of solar flares.  Large amounts of solar material are released into space as a results of the eruption of prominences and the occurrence of solar flares.  The solar material consists of hot electrically charged and magnetised particles, travelling at supersonic speed.  The continuous flow of these particles is known as solar wind. The solar material can reach the Earth and affects it people and their activites.

EFFECT OF SOLAR WIND ON EARTH

EFFECTS Communication systems Navigation systems EXPLANATION The solar wind causes the radio signals tp fluctuate causing radio communications to be affected. The radio signals of the transmitters are affected by the solar wind causing the systems to give navigators information that is incorrect by as much as a several kilometre. Electric power supply is distrupted when magnetically charged particles in solar wind induce current in power transmission lines. A phenomenon in which the sky in the polar regions appear colourful.

Electric power

Aurora

AURORA

HOW ENERGY IS GENERATED BY THE SUN

 Energy is generated by the Sun by a type of nuclear reaction known as nuclear fusion in the core of the Sun.  The Sun is mainly made up of hydrogen. Under high temperature in the core of the Sun, hydrogen atoms undergo nuclear fusion to form helium atoms and energy.  The energy produced is in the form of heat and light.
Hydrogen atoms
nuclear fusion

Helium atoms + Energy