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MGPS TH Enrichment ProbingtheSun

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23 views1 page

MGPS TH Enrichment ProbingtheSun

Uploaded by

830030116
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Enrichment: Probing the Sun

Read the passage below. Use a separate sheet of paper to record your research findings, draw
your diagram, and answer the questions that follow.

The sun is our closest star and radiates energy to warm and light Earth. How can we get close
enough to study the sun? An astronaut in a space suit could withstand temperatures of up to
about 121°C. However, the surface of the sun has a temperature of 6,000°C, and the
temperature of the outer atmosphere surrounding the sun, called the corona, measures well
above 1,000,000°C. It’s much too hot for a space suit. Instead, scientists designed a space
probe to study the sun with special instruments.

How would you create a probe that can travel close to the sun? When deciding what substance
to use, you need to consider four main factors: thermal energy, heat, melting point, and boiling
point. Thermal energy describes the kinetic and potential energy of an object’s particles. An
object with high thermal energy has faster moving particles than an object with lower thermal
energy. Heat is the energy that is transferred from a warmer object to a cooler object. Melting
point and boiling point temperatures tell us when a substance changes state from a solid to a
liquid, or a liquid to a gas.

A solar probe must be made of materials that can withstand high amounts of thermal energy.
You will research the melting and boiling points of three substances to determine which one
could be used to get a probe closest to the sun. Your research will include:

 Making a table to record the melting and boiling points of your three substances (°C).
 Making a diagram showing how the substances behave as they near the sun.
 Labeling your diagram using the following: thermal energy, heat, temperature, solid,
liquid, and gas. Indicate any increases or decreases to the thermal energy or heat.

You must cite at least three internet references from reliable sources, such as .gov and .edu
sites.

Analyze and Interpret Data


1. Use Models What was the source of heat in your diagram and how does it affect the
thermal energy of the probes?

2. Explain Phenomena How does the thermal energy of a probe affect the change in state of
the substance?

3. Evaluate Data Assume that a melted probe would no longer be functional. Which
temperature property is useful for selecting a substance for building the probe?

4. Cite Evidence Which substance can be used to get a functional probe closest to the sun?
Explain your reasoning.

Enrichment
Copyright © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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