Building Vocabulary Match each term with its description by writing the letter of the correct description in the right column on the line next to the term in the left column

Building Vocabulary Match each term with its description by writing the letter of the correct description in the right column on the line next to the term in the left column. 7. solar flare 8. core 9. chromosphere 10. sunspot 11. corona 12. nuclear fusion 13. photosphere 14. solar wind 15. prominence 16. radiation zone 17. convection zone a. the layer of the sun’s atmosphere that gives off visible light b. the layer of the sun’s atmosphere that has a reddish glow c. the layer of the sun’s atmosphere that looks like a halo during an eclipse d. areas of gas on the sun’s surface that are cooler than the gases around them e. reddish loops of gas that link parts of sunspot regions f. eruptions that occur when the loops in sunspot regions suddenly connect g. a stream of charged particles produced by the corona h. the center of the sun i. the outermost layer of the sun’s interior j. the joining of hydrogen atoms to form helium k. the layer of the sun’s interior where energy is transferred mainly by electromagnetic radiation

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

Here are the correct matches between the terms and their descriptions:

7. solar flare – f
8. core – h
9. chromosphere – b
10. sunspot – d
11. corona – c
12. nuclear fusion – j
13. photosphere – a
14. solar wind – g
15. prominence – e
16. radiation zone – k
17. convection zone – i

Explanation

Understanding the structure and activity of the sun helps explain how it produces energy and affects space weather. Let’s go through each term:

The core is the center of the sun (h), where temperatures and pressure are highest, allowing nuclear fusion (j) to occur. This fusion process combines hydrogen atoms into helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy that powers the sun.

This energy first travels through the radiation zone (k), where it is carried outward by electromagnetic radiation. Next, it moves into the convection zone (i), where currents of hot plasma circulate energy toward the surface.

The visible surface of the sun is the photosphere (a), which emits the light we see. Just above it lies the chromosphere (b), which has a reddish appearance and becomes visible during solar eclipses. Beyond that is the corona (c), the outermost atmosphere that looks like a glowing halo and extends millions of kilometers into space.

Sunspots (d) are cooler, darker areas on the photosphere caused by magnetic activity. Sometimes, large loops of glowing gas called prominences (e) extend from these sunspot regions. When these magnetic loops break and reconnect, they can cause solar flares (f), powerful explosions that release bursts of energy.

The solar wind (g) is a continuous flow of charged particles from the corona that spreads through the solar system, affecting planetary atmospheres and causing auroras on Earth.

By matching these terms with their descriptions, we better understand the dynamic and layered nature of the sun, which is essential in both astronomy and understanding Earth’s relationship with its star.