Fig. 1 shows an observatory poster about the Sun. The central core contains hot plasma, not solid material. The poster states that energy travels outward be...
Question 1 Report
Fig. 1 shows an observatory poster about the Sun. The central core contains hot plasma, not solid material. The poster states that energy travels outward before leaving as light and other waves.
(a) Name the nuclear process in the core. [2]
(b) Give the two particles that combine in the main fusion reaction. [2]
(c) Explain why this reaction needs an extremely high temperature. [3]
(d) Describe two useful effects of energy from the Sun on Earth. [3]
Answer Details
(a) The process is nuclear fusion: hydrogen nuclei combine in the Sun's core. [2]
(b) The particles are hydrogen nuclei, also called protons. Two or more nuclei combine in the fusion reaction. [2]
(c) Nuclei are positively charged, so they repel each other electrically. An extremely high temperature gives them enough kinetic energy to get close enough for the strong nuclear force to cause fusion. [3]
(d) Energy from the Sun provides light and warms Earth. It also drives photosynthesis and the weather and water cycle. Any two useful effects gain credit. [3]
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