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ESS 102 midterm 2
short answer
10
Science
Undergraduate 1
02/23/2011

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Cards

Term
Draw and label the regions of the solar interior (DO NOT include the solar atmosphere)
Definition
Picture; see notebook
Term
What condition defines the boundary between the core of the sun and the region next to the core?
Definition
The region of the core is loosely bound at the point where temperature and density is too low to support p-p fusion.
Term
What condition defines the boundary between the next two layers (beyond the core of the sun and the region next to it)
Definition
The region of the radiative zone is bound at the point where temperature and density is low enough to allow atoms to keep their electrons
Term
Explain why photons created in the interior of the Sun take a long time to reach the surface. Give the name of the process, describe the process, and explain why it takes so long.
Definition
It is called Radiative Diffusion.
-Random walk: Can go in any random direction, which is why it takes so long.
-light scatters randomly off electrons and nuclei while traveling
-takes 10^5-10^6 years to escape the radiative zone.
-Core and radiative zone are dense
Term
Define convection. In which region(s) of the sun does convection dominate?
Definition
Convection: the transfer of heat through fluid flow.
This dominates in the convective zone where hot gases rise and cool. As they reach the top they cool and fall down. This causes adjacent convective cells. (similar to boiling water. the cells release energy)
Term
Draw a picture of the heliosphere. Label the following components: LISM, Sun, solar wind, termination shock, bow shock, and heliopause.
Definition
Picture; see notebook
Term
Explain the difference between the bow shock, the termination shock, and the heliopause.
Definition
Bow shock: region where the LISM begins to slow down.
Termination shock: region where the solar wind begins to slow down.
Heliopause: region where the LISM and solar wind are in balance.
Term
Approximately where does the solar wind stop?
Definition
100-150 AU
Term
What two spacecrafts have passed the termination shock?
Definition
Voyager 1 and voyager 2
Term
How many people in the past 5 years have been killed in the US due to nuclear fission energy? (bonus)
Definition
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