The convective (or convection) zone is the region inside a star where energy flows outwards using the process of convection. From there, when the energy reaches the visible glowing surface of the Sun, the photosphere
Photosphere
The photosphere is a star's outer shell from which light is radiated. The term itself is derived from Ancient Greek roots, φῶς, φωτός/phos, photos meaning "light" and σφαῖρα/sphaira meaning "sphere", in reference to the fact that it is a spherical surface that is perceived to emit light.
What is the convection zone of the Sun?
Mar 05, 2022 · Convection currents are how the energy of the sun is transferred to the sun's outermost layer, the photosphere. From the photosphere, light is …
What happens in the convection zone of a star?
Mar 30, 2020 · The convective zone, which is the final 30 percent of the sun's radius, is dominated by convection currents that carry the energy outward to the surface. The convection currents carry photons outward to the surface faster than the …
What happens to the fluid in the convection zone?
In the convective zone, the temperatures are cool enough—under 1,800,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000,000 degrees Kelvin)—that the atoms in the plasma there can absorb the photons coming outward from the Sun’s radiative zone. The plasma gets very hot, and begins to rise upward out of the Sun. The motion of the plasma creates convection currents, like those that happen in …
How does the Sun's temperature change as it moves outward?
Oct 01, 2015 · The solar interior is separated into four regions by the different processes that occur there. Energy is generated in the core, the innermost 25%. This energy diffuses outward by radiation (mostly gamma-rays and x-rays) through the radiative zone and by convective fluid flows (boiling motion) through the convection zone, the outermost 30%.
What happens in the sun's convection zone quizlet?
What does the convection zone do?
Does the Sun have corona?
Where does convection occur in stars?
What is the temperature of the convection zone?
It extends from a depth of about 200,000 km right up to the visible surface. At the base of the convection zone the temperature is about 2,000,000° C. This is "cool" enough for the heavier ions (such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, calcium, and iron) to hold onto some of their electrons. This makes the material more opaque so that it is harder for radiation to get through. This traps heat that ultimately makes the fluid unstable and it starts to "boil" or convect.
How does convection work?
Convection occurs when the temperature gradient (the rate at which the temperature falls with height or radius) gets larger than the adiaba tic gradient ( the rate at which the temperature would fall if a volume of material were moved higher without adding heat). Where this occurs a volume of material moved upward will be warmer than its surroundings and will continue to rise further. These convective motions carry heat quite rapidly to the surface. The fluid expands and cools as it rises. At the visible surface the temperature has dropped to 5,700 K and the density is only 0.0000002 gm/cm³ (about 1/10,000th the density of air at sea level). The convective motions themselves are visible at the surface as granules and supergranules .
What is the radiative zone?
The radiative zone extends outward from the outer edge of the core to the interface layer or tachocline at the base of the convection zone (from 25% of the distance to the surface to 70% of that distance). The radiative zone is characterized by the method of energy transport - radiation. The energy generated in the core is carried by light (photons) that bounces from particle to particle through the radiative zone.
How is the solar interior separated?
The solar interior is separated into four regions by the different processes that occur there. Energy is generated in the core, the innermost 25%. This energy diffuses outward by radiation (mostly gamma-rays and x-rays) through the radiative zone and by convective fluid flows (boiling motion) through the convection zone, the outermost 30%.
What happens in the third step of a nuclear reaction?
In the third step two helium-3s collide to produce a normal helium-4 nucleus with the release of two protons. In this process of fusing hydrogen to form helium, the nuclear reactions produce elementary particles called neutrinos.
How long does it take for a photon to reach the interface layer?
Although the photons travel at the speed of light, they bounce so many times through this dense material that an individual photon takes about a million years to finally reach the interface layer. The density drops from 20 g/cm³ (about the density of gold) down to only 0.2 g/cm³ (less than the density of water) from the bottom to the top of the radiative zone. The temperature falls from 7,000,000° C to about 2,000,000° C over the same distance.
How is the Sun's magnetic field generated?
It is now believed that the Sun's magnetic field is generated by a magnetic dynamo in this layer. The changes in fluid flow velocities across the layer (shear flows) can stretch magnetic field lines of force and make them stronger. This change in flow velocity gives this layer its alternative name - the tachocline.
What is the convection zone?
A convection zone, convective zone or convective region of a star is a layer which is unstable due to convection. Energy is primarily or partially transported by convection in such a region. In a radiation zone, energy is transported by radiation and conduction.
What is the temperature of the convection zone?
It extends from a depth of about 200,000 km right up to the visible surface. At the base of the convection zone the temperature is about 2,000,000° C.
What are some examples of convection?
The fan blowing hot air out of the rear of your computer is an example. The mushroom cloud rising after an atomic blast is another. Thermals on a warm day are convection. The movement of heat from the core of a star to the surface can be partially convection, in regions where the pressure is not so high as to make a solid out of plasma. Convection drives plate tectonics.
What is the process of the Sun's magnetic field?
The turbulent motions of plasma in the convection zone and the differential rotation of the Sun leads to the generation of electric currents and magnetic fields in a process known as the solar dynamo mechanism.
Where is the magnetic field in the Sun?
Scientists are not sure where in the sun the magnetic field is created. It could be close to the solar surface or deep inside the sun – or over a wide range of depths.”
Can we see the Sun in situ?
It would be nice to be able to see the Sun in situ. Unfortunately, this is impossible. Instead, scientists are using telescopes, satellites and computers to study the interior of the Sun.
Is there a secret to the Sun?
There is apparently no SECRET as such. Physicists have come so far that they know the exact processes and the exact mechanisms of them being carried out at the core of the sun with pretty good accuracy.
