The Sun and Its Effects
Standard: SC.912.E.5.4 Explain the physical properties of the sun and its dynamic nature and connect
them to conditions on the earth.
EQ: How is the sun structured? How does the sun effect earth’s systems?
Objective: Understand what albedo is. Understand earths energy budget.
Bell Ringer: If a meteorite hit in downtown Jacksonville what would happen?
 The suns layers are the outer layer known as the ________________ . The middle layer
_________________ . The innermost layer the _____ .
 All of the suns energy is sourced from the _____ . The energy is made by ______________ .
 Nuclear fusion is made by _______ together two nuclei. This takes a lot of heat and pressure.
The sun is about _________ degrees Fahrenheit.
 The sublayers of the convection zone are the: ____________ , ______________ and the
________ .
 The photosphere is the suns ______ surface.
 The chromosphere produces most of the suns _________ radiation.
 The corona is the __________ layer of the sun.
 The sun is the main source of ________ for the earth.
 The earth surface absorbs about ____ of the energy we receive.
 The other 50 % is either absorbed by the ____________ or reflected back into _______ .
 The process of solar radiation being moved about it called __________ .
 This is why the sky is _____ . The blue wavelength is less scattered than the other colors in the
visible light spectrum.
 Most of the earth’s atmosphere is made of ________ and ________ .As the solar radiation
moves through the atmosphere it is absorbed and warms the earth and its oceans.
 The reflectivity of a surface is called its ________ .
 Albedo is measured in the percentage of _________ reflected. The average albedo of earth is
about ___ %.
 The amount of _______ received by Earth and delivered back into ______ is
_____________________ .
 This is a cyclical flow of energy in and out of the earth. Like a dance between the earth and the
sun.
 The negative effects of the sun are caused by __________________ or _____ rays for short.
These rays cause ____________ .
 The _______ which is a molecule made up of three ________ atoms. These atoms help create
the ___________ . This layer helps protect us from harmful solar radiation.
 Small dark areas on the sun are known as __________ .
 These spots vary in size some can be small about the size of the _______ . Others can be as large
as __________ .
 They tend to cycle through every ____ years.
 Sunspots are much _______ than the normal temperatures on the sun and are highly _________
 They may last a few hours or a few ________ .
 When solar flares happen massive amounts of __________ , _______ and _______ waves are
released. Along with charged particles such as ________ and _________ .
 Solar flares cause a lot of damage to _________ in space.
 This flow of charged particles is called __________ . Solar wind can knockout power grids on
earth.
 These charged particles eventually bounce off of the ___________ and interact with particles in
our atmosphere that help create the _______ . This is a bright emission of atoms that is seen as
bright lights in the sky. They are also known as the ______________ .
 Scientists use ___________ . They also use special satellites that orbit the sun.
 A lot of scientists believe that sunspot activity is directly linked to ________ climate.
Exit Ticket Questions:
How do solar flares interfere with communication and power systems?
In your own words explain solar wind. How does the sun contribute to space weather?
Describe earth’s energy budget.