CHAPTER 7: SUN, SOLAR WIND, AND
MAGNETIC FIELDS EXAM
What is a magnetosphere? - Correct Answers -The region surrounding the earth or
another astronomical body in which its magnetic field is the predominant effective
magnetic field.
What is a heliosphere? - Correct Answers -A magnetic cavity formed by the Sun which
resembles a bubble 'blown' into the interstellar medium by the solar wind. Within this
bubble, the solar wind flows around and interacts with the magnetic fields surrounding
the Earth, the giant planets and mercury. The fields are generated in these planets'
interiors via a dynamo process. Venus, Mars, and comets are surrounded by magnetic
structures that are induced by the interaction of the solar wind with their ionospheres.
Mars, the Moon, and some asteroids show evidence of large scale remanent
magnetism.
How does the solar minima and maxima affect solar winds? - Correct Answers -During
solar minima, there are large coronal holes near the Sun's poles from which the wind
emanates; at these times, the speed is typically 750-800 km/s at higher solar latitudes.
What are solar flares? - Correct Answers -Events during which the coronal X-ray and
ultraviolet (UV) emissions suddenly intensify by several orders of magnitude in a
relatively localized region in the low corona and chromosphere. Major solar flares
typically occur approximately one per week during years of maximum sunspot activity,
with weak flares and CMEs happening a few times daily. During years of minimum solar
activity, such weaker events may happen once a week.
What determines the shape and size of a planet's magnetosphere? - Correct Answers -
They are determined by the strength and orientation of its magnetic field, the solar wind
flow past the field, and the motion of charged particles within the magnetosphere.
Other than the heliosphere, what are the largest structures in the solar system? -
Correct Answers -Planetary magnetospheres.
Are charged particles present in all magnetospheres? - Correct Answers -Yes, although
the density and composition vary from planet to planet. That particles may originate in
the solar wind, in the planet's ionosphere, or on satellites or ring particles whose orbits
are partly or entirely within the planet's magnetic field.
MAGNETIC FIELDS EXAM
What is a magnetosphere? - Correct Answers -The region surrounding the earth or
another astronomical body in which its magnetic field is the predominant effective
magnetic field.
What is a heliosphere? - Correct Answers -A magnetic cavity formed by the Sun which
resembles a bubble 'blown' into the interstellar medium by the solar wind. Within this
bubble, the solar wind flows around and interacts with the magnetic fields surrounding
the Earth, the giant planets and mercury. The fields are generated in these planets'
interiors via a dynamo process. Venus, Mars, and comets are surrounded by magnetic
structures that are induced by the interaction of the solar wind with their ionospheres.
Mars, the Moon, and some asteroids show evidence of large scale remanent
magnetism.
How does the solar minima and maxima affect solar winds? - Correct Answers -During
solar minima, there are large coronal holes near the Sun's poles from which the wind
emanates; at these times, the speed is typically 750-800 km/s at higher solar latitudes.
What are solar flares? - Correct Answers -Events during which the coronal X-ray and
ultraviolet (UV) emissions suddenly intensify by several orders of magnitude in a
relatively localized region in the low corona and chromosphere. Major solar flares
typically occur approximately one per week during years of maximum sunspot activity,
with weak flares and CMEs happening a few times daily. During years of minimum solar
activity, such weaker events may happen once a week.
What determines the shape and size of a planet's magnetosphere? - Correct Answers -
They are determined by the strength and orientation of its magnetic field, the solar wind
flow past the field, and the motion of charged particles within the magnetosphere.
Other than the heliosphere, what are the largest structures in the solar system? -
Correct Answers -Planetary magnetospheres.
Are charged particles present in all magnetospheres? - Correct Answers -Yes, although
the density and composition vary from planet to planet. That particles may originate in
the solar wind, in the planet's ionosphere, or on satellites or ring particles whose orbits
are partly or entirely within the planet's magnetic field.
