MCQ Detailed View

The Sun, the center of our solar system, is a massive ball of hot gases primarily made of hydrogen and helium. Like planets, the Sun also spins around its axis. However, because it is not a solid body but a huge gaseous sphere, its rotation speed varies in different regions.

At the equator of the Sun, it takes about 25 days to complete one full rotation relative to distant stars. This is called the sidereal rotation period. The Sun’s poles rotate more slowly, taking about 35 days to complete a turn. This difference happens because gases at various latitudes of the Sun move at different speeds—a phenomenon known as differential rotation.

Scientists first discovered the Sun’s rotation by observing sunspots, which are temporary dark areas on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity. As these sunspots move across the Sun’s visible disk, astronomers can track how fast the Sun is spinning.

This rotation is important because it plays a key role in generating the Sun’s magnetic field, which drives solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and solar winds. These solar activities can affect satellites, power grids, and communication systems on Earth.

To understand the options:

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  365 days is the time the Earth takes to orbit the Sun.

  
  


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  30 days is close but not exact for the Sun’s equatorial rotation.

  
  


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  25 days is the scientifically measured rotation period at the equator.

  
  


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  23 days is too short for the Sun’s rotation.

  
  

Therefore, the correct answer is 25 days, as the Sun completes one full rotation at its equator in about 25 Earth days. This is a fundamental concept in Everyday Science, helping us understand our closest star and its influence on life on Earth.