Year 7 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 15 · Extension
Apply Worksheet
Learning Goals
From the core to Earth
Fill in the missing steps. This chain follows the Sun's energy from where it is made to where we feel it.
Overall, why is the Sun so important for Earth?
Real-world context
The Sun is always active. Dark patches called sunspots come and go on its surface, and sudden bursts of energy called solar flares can shoot out toward Earth. When the particles from a strong flare reach our planet, they can create glowing lights in the sky. In Australia these southern lights are called the aurora australis, and they are sometimes seen from Tasmania and southern Victoria. Strong solar activity can also disturb radio signals and satellites, so scientists keep a close watch on the Sun using filtered telescopes.
(a) Sort each description below as either a sunspot or a solar flare. Write sunspot or solar flare next to each one.
| Description | Sunspot or flare? |
|---|---|
| A dark patch on the surface that is slightly cooler than the gas around it | |
| A sudden burst of energy that shoots out from the Sun | |
| Can be larger than the whole Earth and comes and goes over weeks | |
| Can send a stream of particles that create auroras on Earth |
(b) In your own words, explain how the Sun makes its energy. Use the words hydrogen, helium and nuclear fusion.
(c) Australia gets many sunny days each year and uses solar panels to capture the Sun's energy. Explain where that energy first came from, all the way back to the Sun.
1. A friend says "The Sun must be running out of energy fast, just like a campfire." Explain why the Sun can keep shining for billions of years when a campfire burns out in hours.
2. Scientists study sunspots and flares but always use special filtered equipment. Explain why they never look at the Sun with bare eyes, binoculars or an ordinary telescope.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?