Question

what characteristic is shared by sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections? select the two correct responses. (1 point)

• they tend to occur during active periods of the solar cycle.
• they appear as bright spots on the sun’s surface.
• they are caused by outward fluctuations of the sun’s magnetic field.
• they appear as dark spots on the sun’s surface.

Explanation:

• Sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections are all solar activity phenomena. They peak during the active (solar maximum) phase of the 11-year solar cycle.
• All three are driven by disturbances and fluctuations in the Sun's magnetic field; the magnetic field's outward fluctuations and twists trigger these events.
• Bright spots only describe solar flares (and related faculae), dark spots only describe sunspots, so these are not shared traits.

Answer:

A. They tend to occur during active periods of the solar cycle.
C. They are caused by outward fluctuations of the sun's magnetic field.