Science Probe I Technology Activities

Chapter 14

Internet

Select three of the following to conduct an Internet search: sunspots, solar flares, sun’s rotation, solar winds, corona, core, photosphere, or chromosphere. You should look for information that will allow you to explain:

a.What are they?
b.Where are they found?
c.What causes them?
d.What current research has learned about them that was not known 30 years ago?

It might also be helpful to correspond through e-mail or talk in a web discussion site with an astronomer or someone in an observatory to get your answers. Prepare a presentation using maps, sketches, computer graphics, or other multimedia to inform your classmates about the topics you have selected. Below are web sites to get you started:

The Sun
http://www.seds.org/billa/tnp/sol.html

NASA Solar Data Analysis Center
http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/sdac.html

Application Software

Activity 14A – In Part I, use a word processing program to set up the three-column table as directed in the activity for recording your group’s information. When the activity is completed, print the data and graph and secure them in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook.

Probeware

Activity 14G – In Part II of this activity, substitute a Light Sensor Probe attached to a computer or calculator in place of the solar cell and galvanometer. Use the application software provided by the manufacturer of the probe to record the data as you perform this activity. The application software will record the light intensity at each of the distances. Using the graphing feature of the application software or using a spreadsheet program, plot a graph of light intensity on the vertical axis and the distance from the sensor on the horizontal axis. Print the graph, and secure it in your SCIENCE PROBE Logbook where you will answer the discussion questions.