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Figure 9.1 Structure of the Sun showing some phenomena on its surface 1. The core is the innermost layer of the Sun. The temperature of this layer can rise to 15 000 000 C. 2. The surface of the Sun consists of three gaseous layers: photosphere, chromosphere and corona. The photosphere 1. The photosphere is the innermost atmospheric layer of dense gases. It is considered as the surface of the Sun. 2. The visible light that reaches Earth from the Sun originates from the photosphere.
Solar flares 1. Solar flares are the result of violent energy explosions in complex sunspots groups. 2. Solar flares release gases and charged particles far into space. 3. Solar flares make the night sky above the poles appear colourful . this is known as an aurora. Sunspots 1. Sunspots are dark regions which are visible on the photosphere. 2. Sunspots appear dark because they are much cooler than their brighter surroundings. The temperature in these regions is about 4 000 C.
back to Earth. Their lifespans are also shortened. 7. Power generation a. The charged particles interfere with Earths magnetic field and induce surges in the electric current along power transmission lines. b. This overloads the power grids and causes blackouts over large areas. 8. Global climate a. Sunspots bring about changes in temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure, which affect the weather conditions on Earth. b. Wind, land and sea breezes are a result of the effects of sunspots. 9. Formation of aurorae 1. Aurorae result from a collision between the charged particles of the solar wind and the gas molecules in the atmosphere of the Earth. This interaction causes them to emit a visible light.
3. The Sun is a medium-sized star. Most stars are about the same size as the Sun. A dwarf is a star that is about the same size as the Sun. A white dwarf is a star smaller than the Sun. 4. A giant star is a star about twenty times bigger than the Sun. 5. A supergiant star is a star that is more than 100 times the size of the Sun. Brightness 1. Long ago, the brightness of a star was known as the apparent magnitude. This was determined by naked eye. 2. The brightness of a star depends on factors such as the surface temperature , size and distance from Earth. Classifications using the naked eye are not accurate.
Formation of stars
1. Stars are formed within huge clouds of gases and dust called nebulae. 2. A nebula consists mainly of gases such as hydrogen and helium and dust that collect as a result of the pull of gravity between the particles. 3. A star is formed when a nebula is pulled inwards towards the core until it becomes compact. As the nebula collapses, it starts to spin. 4. The gravitational force increases and this causes the material within the nebula to condense. As a result, the temperature and pressure of the gases and dust particles at the centre increase. 5. a. When the temperature reaches 15 000 C , nuclear fusion takes place at the core of the nebula. 2. Hydrogen atoms fuse together to form helium atoms, releasing a large amount of heat and light energy. 6. The ball of gas starts to shine and a new star is born. 7. The star continues to generate heat and light energy through the nuclear fusion reactions that take place in its core. 8. Once a star is stable, its size remains constant.
Size 1. Stars are of different sizes. They can be classified as neutrons, dwarfs, giants and supergiants. 2. The smallest star is the neutron star which has a diameter of about 10 kilometres.
Deadth of stars
1. The lifespan of a star depends on its size.
2. a. A star with a small mass has a longer lifespan when compared to a star with a big mass. b. Small stars ( smaller than the Sun ) may finally die after more than 10 billion years but super-large stars may not survive more than 100 million years. 3. Once the hydrogen fuel is used up and nuclear fusion is completed, the core of the star starts to shrink. The star is said to be dying. 4. a. The star cools, undergoes further changes depending on the mass of the star and then eventually dies. b. A star will become either a white dwarf, a neutron star or a black hole when it dies.
3. The Milky Way is a Spiral Galaxy. It is shaped like a flat disc and has projections. 4. The centre of the Milky Way has many old stars while its spiral limbs have a lot of dust, gases and young stars.
The Universe
Figure 9.2 Formation and death of Star 1. The Universe consists of matter, energy and space. 2. The Universe is everything you see around you. It is unimaginably huge. 3. The origin of the Universe is still unanswered but many astronomers support the Big Bang theory. 4. Astronomers believe that the Universe is still expanding and galaxies are also breaking up. 5. Until today, astronomers still do not know the exact size of the universe. Position of the Solar System in the
Galaxies
1. A galaxy is a group of millions or billions of stars held together by gravity. 2. There are millions of galaxies scattered at random throughout the Universe. Each galaxy has its own shape, size and luminosity, and contains different bodies. 3. There are three basic types of galaxies. a. Elliptical galaxies b. Spiral galaxies c. Irregular galaxies.
Universe 1. The Milky Way and millions of other galaxies make up the Universe. 2. Thus, the Solar System is only one tiny part of the whole Universe.
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2. Without light and heat from the Sun, life cannot exist on Earth. 3. The Sun provides light energy and heat energy directly to living organisms. 4. All energy on Earth originates from the Sun. 5. Heat energy from the Sun can lead to the formation of clouds, rain, wind and droughts. 6. Green plants carry out the process of photosynthesis by absorbing and converting the solar energy from the Sun into chemical energy. This energy is stored in the food synthesised by plants. 7. During photosynthesis, green plants also remove carbon dioxide from the air and increase the supply of oxygen which is needed for life to exist on Earth. 8. Solar cells convert solar energy into electrical energy for our daily use.
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