Author Question: Briefly explain how astronomers use the Zeeman effect to measure magnetic fields on the Sun. What ... (Read 66 times)

tiffannnnyyyyyy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 512
Briefly explain how astronomers use the Zeeman effect to measure magnetic fields on the Sun.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

In the context of the Babcock model, briefly explain the reversal of the Sun's magnetic field from cycle to cycle.
 
  What will be an ideal response?



1_Step_At_ATime

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 342
Answer to Question 1

Astronomers can measure magnetic fields on the Sun using the Zeeman effect. When an atom is in a magnetic field, the electron energy levels are altered, and the atom is able to absorb photons with a greater variety of wavelengths than the same atom not in a magnetic field.

Answer to Question 2

The Babcock model explains the reversal of the Sun's magnetic field from cycle to cycle. As the magnetic field becomes tangled, adjacent regions of the Sun's surface are dominated by magnetic fields that point in different directions. After about 11 years of tangling, the field becomes so complex that adjacent regions of the surface are forced to change their magnetic field directions to align with neighboring regions. The entire field quickly rearranges itself into a simpler pattern, and differential rotation begins winding it up to start a new cycle. The newly organized field is reversed, and the next sunspot cycle begins with magnetic north replaced by magnetic south. Consequently, the complete magnetic cycle is 22 years long, whereas the sunspot cycle is 11 years long.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question


 

Did you know?

It is widely believed that giving a daily oral dose of aspirin to heart attack patients improves their chances of survival because the aspirin blocks the formation of new blood clots.

Did you know?

Anesthesia awareness is a potentially disturbing adverse effect wherein patients who have been paralyzed with muscle relaxants may awaken. They may be aware of their surroundings but unable to communicate or move. Neurologic monitoring equipment that helps to more closely check the patient's anesthesia stages is now available to avoid the occurrence of anesthesia awareness.

Did you know?

Most childhood vaccines are 90–99% effective in preventing disease. Side effects are rarely serious.

Did you know?

Chronic necrotizing aspergillosis has a slowly progressive process that, unlike invasive aspergillosis, does not spread to other organ systems or the blood vessels. It most often affects middle-aged and elderly individuals, spreading to surrounding tissue in the lungs. The disease often does not respond to conventionally successful treatments, and requires individualized therapies in order to keep it from becoming life-threatening.

Did you know?

In ancient Rome, many of the richer people in the population had lead-induced gout. The reason for this is unclear. Lead poisoning has also been linked to madness.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library