Exploring Magnetism in Solar Flares

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Subject:

Science and Technology

Institution Name:

NASA

Collection:

NASA

Grade Level:

Secondary

Abstract:

Solar flares are the most powerful explosions in the Solar System and play an important role in the Sun-Earth connection. Solar flares are caused by sudden changes of strong magnetic fields in the Sun’s corona. The changing magnetic field converts magnetic potential energy into kinetic energy by accelerating charged gases (plasmas) in the corona. The plasma is channeled by the magnetic field up and away from the Sun. Plasma is also accelerated back down along the magnetic field into the chromosphere. In the chromosphere, the plasma crashes into denser gas and releases its kinetic energy into thermal energy, sound, and light energy. The activities in this guide are meant to teach students about the Sun and solar flares. Along the way they will learn about important basic concepts in physical science, and practice their mathematics and literacy skills. The chief physical science concept in these lessons is that of magnetism, or more generally electromagnetism. This guide was developed for grades 8-12 and is intended to be used as a supplement to the original Exploring Magnetism lesson guide, which was developed at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory for the Education and Public Outreach Programs of the NASA missions RHESSI, STEREO-IMPACT, THEMIS, and FAST. It is strongly recommended that Exploring Magnetism be used as a prerequisite to this guide. Sessions 1 and 2 of Exploring Magnetism are about magnetism in general and then its connection to electricity. Session 3 was developed in the first supplemental guide in the series, Exploring Magnetism in the Solar Wind, and is about how the STEREO mission will measure the magnetic field of the Solar Wind.

Course Type:

Learning Module

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Activities and Labs, Curriculum Standards, Lecture Notes

Media Format:

Graphics/Photos, Text/HTML

Conditions of Use:

Public Domain
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