The sun is powered by nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms are fused into helium atoms, releasing a large amount of energy. The number of sunspots, which are cooler areas related to magnetic disturbances, peaks every 11 years, as does ultraviolet radiation. Solar winds of electrically charged particles ejected from the sun also peak with sunspot activity. The total solar irradiance, or energy from the sun reaching Earth, varies over 10 or more years and can cause short term or regional climate changes, but does not account for current global climate change.

1. Notes:
Summarize: Five lines to write on
Width ~ 3 Fingers
Key Words and
Questions:
Power of the Sun Notes

2. How is the
sun
powered?
• Due to immense gravity and heat, hydrogen atoms are
fused together to form helium which releases A LOT of
energy (nuclear fusion)

3. Sunspots
• Cooler portions of the sun related to magnetic
disturbances within the sun

4. Sunspot
Cycle
• The number of sunspots peaks every 11 years; UV
radiation also peaks (more UV radiation means more
energy absorbed by ozone)

5. Solar Winds
• Electrically charged particles that are ejected from the
sun; peak with sunspot activity

6. Total Solar
Irradiance
• Total energy from the sun that reaches the Earth; varies
on a scale of 10 or more years

7. Effect of
Varying
Amounts of
Solar
Radiation
Output
• The varying amounts of energy being produced by the
sun can cause short term and regional climate changes
• But cannot account for the changes we are seeing with
global climate change