scientific method - astro.sunysb.edu
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Scientific Method
• The principles & empirical processes of discovery &
demonstration considered characteristic of or necessary
for scientific investigation, generally involving
• The method employed in exact science & consisting of
a) The observation of phenomena
b) The formation of a hypothesis concerning the phenomena
c) Experimentation to demonstrate the truth or falseness of
the hypothesis
d) & a conclusion that validates or modifies the hypothesis
a) Careful & abundant observation & experimentation
b) Generalization of the results into formulated “Laws” &
statements
The Sun
• Nearest Star
• Importance
• Outline of Discussion of Sun
1) Heating source (solar constant = 1370 Watts/ m2)
2) Source of illumination
1) General Properties
2) Distance to Nearest Stars
3) How is the Sun powered?
4) Spectroscopy
5) Structure of Sun
6) Comparison of Sun to Other Stars
Properties of Sun
• Mass = 2.0x1030 kg (333,000 Earth masses)
• Diameter = 1.4x109 m (109 Earth Diameters)
• Average Density = (Mass/Volume) = 1.4 g / cm3
• Luminosity (i.e., total power output) = 4x1026
Watts
(Distance to the Sun from the Earth = 1 AU = 1.5x1011 m)
How are these quantities measured
• The distance to the Sun is measured from
Kepler’s 3rd Law, i.e., (Period)2 = (Distance)3.
This allows a determination of the diameter.
• Luminosity = 4 ! (Solar Constant)(Distance)2.
• The mass can be determined using Newton’s law
of gravity,
• Density = Mass / Volume
(G Msun mearth) / D2 = (mearth [vearth]
2) / D
Msun = [vearth]2 D / G
How do we know others stars are like
the Sun?
• By measuring the
distances to them, then
calculating their
luminosities
• Method: Parallax – the
apparent displacement
of an object caused by
the motion of the
observer
Earth-Sun Distance
Distance to Star" =
Parallax – Another Example
Matter
• Element: a substance that cannot be broken
down by chemical means into simpler
substances
• Atom: The smallest particle of an element that
has the properties that characterize that element
How is the Sun Powered?
• Atoms have nuclei comprised of positively charged protons& neutrally charged neutrons, as well as negatively chargedelectrons that orbit the nucleus
• Isotope: Any of several forms for the same element whosenuclei all have the same number of protons but differentnumbers of neutrons
The Sun is powered by thermonuclear
fusion
• Einstein: the equivalence of Mass
& Energy
E = mc2
• Thermonuclear Fusion: The
joining of atomic nuclei at high
temperatures to create a new,
more massive atom with the
simultaneous release of energy
• Why is energy released?
Mass of 4 hydrogen = 4mproton
Mass of helium = 3.97mproton
Converted to energy = 0.03 mproton
Another look at the book-keeping• The thermonuclear reactions occurring in the core of the
sun
• However, the masses don’t add up
• The missing link, the release of energy
• Thus the efficiency of converting mass to energy is
4 (hydrogen nuclei mass) = 1 (helium nucleus mass)
4 (proton mass) = 3.97 (proton mass)
0.03 / 4 = 0.0075, or 0.75% -> E = 0.0075 mp+ c2
A more detailed look at the process
Two important points about Fusion
1) Fusion is the way by which elements heavier
than hydrogen are built
• As stars evolve, they fuse different forms of light
nuclei into heavier nuclei (such a Carbon & Iron)
• Thus, without fusion, there would be no planets like
the earth
Two important points about Fusion,
cont.
2) The balance between the force of the (outward)
radiation pressure from fusion reactions & the
(inward) force of gravity is what keeps stars
stable
• Such stability is important for life on planets
• The Sun will stay in its present state for
• The Sun is already about 5 billion years old, so it has
5 billion more years to go in its present state
Lifetime =0.0075 Masssun c
2
Luminositysun
(0.1) ~ 1010 years.
How do we determine the composition
of astronomical objects?
• Answer – Spectroscopy
• Our eyes are sensitive to optical light, but we can buildinstruments sensitive to other forms of “light” (orradiation)
Photon – discrete unit of electromagnetic
energy• Massless
• Travels at 3x108 m / s (speed of light)
• Has specific frequency & wavelength
• Energy = h x (frequency), h = 6.63x10-34 J.s
• Speed of wave = (frequency) x (wavelength)
Wavelength & Frequencies – some
examples
Different kinds of atoms emit & absorb
different kinds of photons
Emission & Absorption
• Ionization: the process by which an atom loses electrons
• Ion: an atom that has become electrically charged due tothe loss of one or more electrons. Note that isolatedatoms are electronically neutral – i.e, they have thesame number of protons & neutrons – unless they areionized.
Emission & Absorption – more
examples
Spectrum of the Sun
• We can then use a
spectrometer to obtain a
spectrum of the Sun &
determine what elements
are present
• This process can be used
for all astronomical
objects
Emission
vs.
Absorption
Lines
Cosmic Abundances of Major Elements
• The Sun is primarily
Hydrogen & Helium
• The abundance of the
Earth & Life (on Earth) is
different from that of the
Sun
• The Earth’s crust is
primarily Oxygen,
Aluminum, & Calcium
• Life is primarily
Hydrogen, Oxygen,
Carbon, & Nitrogen
I.e.,
Interior of the Sun
• Core: center of Sun (15x106 K)
• Radiative zone: region of sun where energy istransported via radiation
• Convective zone: region of the sun where energy istransported to the photosphere via blobs of warm, risinggas
• Time required to move energy from the core to thesurface ~ million years
General features of
the Sun
• Photosphere: The regionin the solar atmospherefrom which most of thevisible light escapes intospace (5800 K)
• Sunspots: A region of thesolar photosphere that iscooler than itssurroundings & thereforeappears dark (~4800 K)
• Sunspots can be used todetermine the sun’srotation period ~ 24-27days
• Sunspots were discoveredby Galileo
Sunspots
Close-up of Sunspot
The
Photosphere
(Video)
Close-up of Photosphere
• Granulation: Caused by convective cells
X-ray image of the Sun
• These fields prevent
convection from carrying as
much heat into the sunspots
Corona
• Corona: The outeratmosphere of the Sun. Ithas temperatures inexcess of a milliondegrees & extends formillions of kilometers intospace
• Coronal gas expands &flows away from the Sunand forms the Solar Wind
• Note that a solar eclipseis the best time to see thecorona directly
Corona in
Visible Light
(Video)
H# Emission
(Video)
Magnetic Fields• Much like gravity affects
anything with mass,magnetic fields affectanything with an electriccharge. Charged particlesspin around magnetic fieldlines
• For the Sun, chargedparticles get trapped inmagnetic fields, spiralingalong then from one sunsportto another.
• Convective material is veryhot (and thus comprised ofion & free electrons). Thismaterial cannot cross thefield lines without beingswept into magnetic fields
The Nature of Sunspots
• The Sun rotates faster at its equator than its pole
• The magnetic field lines winds up as a result of differential
rotation
• “Sunspots” occur when the magnetic fields poke through
the photosphere
• The 22-year cycle in which the solar magnetic fieldreverses direction, consisting of two 11-year sunspotcycles
• The Aurora (i.e., dancing light in the earth’s sky causedby charged particles entering our atmosphere) are moreintense during the solar maxima.
• Cause: Winding of magnetic fields?
Solar Cycle
Some unanswered questions
• What causes the solar wind
• How is the corona heated
• How is the solar wind accelerated