Energy Transfer Quick Check
1 of 51 of 5 Items
Question
As solar wind approaches Earth, what happens to the charged electrons?(1 point)
Responses
They are deflected as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
They are deflected as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
They are absorbed as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
They are absorbed as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
They grow weaker as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
They grow weaker as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
They grow stronger as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
The correct answer is: They are deflected as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
The correct answer is: They are deflected as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
The correct answer is: They are deflected as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
To understand why this is the correct answer, we need to know about the interaction between solar wind and Earth's magnetic field.
Solar wind is a stream of charged particles, mainly electrons and protons, that are continuously being released by the Sun. When solar wind approaches Earth, it interacts with Earth's magnetic field.
Earth has a protective magnetic field that extends out into space. This field is generated by the movement of molten iron in Earth's outer core. The magnetic field forms a "shield" around Earth, protecting it from harmful solar radiation and charged particles.
When solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetic field, the charged particles, including electrons, experience a force exerted on them. This force is called the magnetic Lorentz force.
According to the right-hand rule, which describes the direction of the Lorentz force, the charged particles are deflected. In the case of solar wind approaching Earth, the magnetic Lorentz force causes the charged electrons to be deflected away from Earth's magnetic field.
Therefore, the correct answer is: They are deflected as Earth’s magnetic field exerts force on them.
Which best describes how energy transferred from an electron in the solar wind compares with energy absorbed by an electron in the oxygen atom?(1 point)
Responses
greater than
greater than
less than
less than
No energy is transferred.
No energy is transferred.
equal to
The correct answer is: greater than.
When an electron in the solar wind interacts with an electron in an oxygen atom, energy is transferred between them. The electron in the solar wind has a higher energy compared to the electron in the oxygen atom. This means that the energy transferred from the electron in the solar wind to the electron in the oxygen atom is greater. Therefore, the correct answer is: greater than.
Which statement is accurate about how the aurora borealis is formed?(1 point)
Responses
An electron in an energy level closest to the nucleus has greater energy.
An electron in an energy level closest to the nucleus has greater energy.
When the electrons fall to a lower energy state, they release energy as electromagnetic radiation, light.
When the electrons fall to a lower energy state, they release energy as electromagnetic radiation, light.
When electrons are excited, they move to a lower energy level.
When electrons are excited, they move to a lower energy level.
When the electrons jump to a higher energy state, they release energy as electromagnetic radiation, light.
When the electrons jump to a higher energy state, they release energy as electromagnetic radiation, light.
The correct answer is: When electrons are excited, they move to a lower energy level.
The formation of the aurora borealis (also known as the northern lights) involves the excitation of electrons. When charged particles from the Sun, such as electrons, enter Earth's magnetic field and collide with atoms in the Earth's upper atmosphere, the electrons in these atoms become excited.
When an electron is excited, it absorbs energy and moves to a higher energy level or orbital. However, this excited state is unstable, and the electron eventually returns to its original, lower energy level or orbital. When it does so, it releases the absorbed energy as electromagnetic radiation, specifically as visible light.
In the case of the aurora borealis, the excited electrons in the Earth's upper atmosphere collide with atoms or molecules (such as oxygen and nitrogen) and then return to their lower energy levels, releasing energy in the form of light. This light is what creates the beautiful and colorful displays of the northern lights.
Therefore, the accurate statement about how the aurora borealis is formed is: When electrons are excited, they move to a lower energy level.
How does the energy in the light of the aurora borealis compare to the energy as an excited electron returns to its original energy level?(1 point)
Responses
half of the energy
half of the energy
equal to
equal to
twice the energy
twice the energy
one-third of the energy
The correct answer is: equal to.
When an excited electron returns to its original energy level, it releases energy in the form of light. The energy of the emitted light is directly correlated to the energy difference between the higher and lower energy levels that the electron transitioned between.
In the case of the aurora borealis, the electrons in the Earth's upper atmosphere are excited and then return to their lower energy levels, releasing energy as light. The energy of this light is exactly equal to the energy difference between the excited state and the lower energy state of the electrons.
Therefore, the accurate statement about the energy in the light of the aurora borealis compared to the energy as an excited electron returns to its original energy level is: equal to.
During the formation of the aurora borealis, the electrons in an atom experience a change in energy levels. Which statement about this change is accurate?(1 point)
Responses
First, the electron releases energy to move to a higher energy level.
First, the electron releases energy to move to a higher energy level.
First, the electron releases energy to move to a lower energy level.
First, the electron releases energy to move to a lower energy level.
First, the electron absorbs energy to move to a higher energy level.
First, the electron absorbs energy to move to a higher energy level.
First, the electron absorbs energy to move to a lower energy level.
First, the electron absorbs energy to move to a lower energy level.