Table of Contents
What are the solar winds and what are they made of?
The solar wind is a stream of energetic particles ejected by the Sun. These include electrons and protons from hydrogen, along with atomic nuclei like helium, otherwise known as alpha particles. There are also traces of ‘heavy ions’ and atomic nuclei of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon and magnesium.
What are solar winds quizlet?
Solar Wind. A stream of electrically charged particles that flow outward from the Sun’s corona.
What are solar winds and how do they affect?
The Sun produces a solar wind — a continuous flow of charged particles — that can affect us on Earth. It can, for example, disrupt communications, navigation systems, and satellites. Solar activity can also cause power outages, such as the extensive Canadian blackout in 1989.
What creates solar wind?
The solar wind is created by the outward expansion of plasma (a collection of charged particles) from the Sun’s corona (outermost atmosphere). This plasma is continually heated to the point that the Sun’s gravity can’t hold it down. It then travels along the Sun’s magnetic field lines that extend radially outward.
What two particles make up most of the solar wind?
The composition of the solar wind is a mixture of materials found in the solar plasma, composed of ionized hydrogen (electrons and protons) with an 8\% component of helium (alpha particles) and trace amounts of heavy ions and atomic nuclei: C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, and Fe ripped apart by heating of the Sun’s outer …
What causes solar wind quizlet?
The Sun powers space weather, producing coronal mass ejections and/or solar flares that cause gusts and squalls in the tempestuous solar wind.
Why does the solar wind exist quizlet?
Coronal holes exist where the magnetic field does not loop back into the Sun. The solar wind, which is particles from the corona, move along these magnetic field and leave the Sun. It appears that the turbulence below the photosphere causes the magnetic field loops to move back and forth.
What are the main constituents of the solar wind which travel faster?
What are the main constituents of the solar wind? Which travel faster? The lower mass electrons move much faster than the protons that lag behind. Why is it hard to observe the chromosphere?
What is meant by solar winds?
The solar wind is a stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun, called the corona. Superposed with the solar-wind plasma is the interplanetary magnetic field. The solar wind varies in density, temperature and speed over time and over solar latitude and longitude.
Which elements are the main components of the sun?
Despite the controversy, everyone agrees on the basics: The sun consists mainly of hydrogen and helium, the two lightest elements. It generates energy at its center through nuclear reactions that convert hydrogen into helium.
Which element is the most abundant in the solar wind?
Oxygen
Oxygen (mass 16) is actually the most abundant heavy element in the solar wind, and the true Iron (mass 56) abundance would be roughly 10\% that of Oxygen.
What is released from a solar flare quizlet?
Solar flares produce high energy particles and radiation which is harmful to living things. Major solar flares can cause problems to GPS systems, and can affect other satellites. They also produce radiation that can lead to skin cancer. They can knock out electrical grids and can cause the northern lights.