Below is an outline of the topics and their relevance to the GCSE physics and chemistry syllabuses. The references are to sections in the National Curriculum (NC), (Key Stage, KS, 3 and 4): numbers are the section and letters the subsection (PP - physical processes, MP - materials and their properties).
1) Fingerprints on the Sun (UV and X-ray spectra)
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Radiation 3h, 5c (KS4 PP)
Light and colour 3g (KS3 PP)
The electro-magnetic spectrum 3h (KS4 PP)
Atomic structure 1a-m (KS4 MP)
Ions 1i,j (KS4 MP), 1q (KS4 PP)
Element abundances 3a-d (KS4 MP)
Periodic table 3a-k (KS4 MP)
2) Eclipse 99 - What is the Corona?
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Positions of Earth, Moon, Sun 4b (KS PP), 4a (KS4 PP)
3) Hot and cool loops (active regions)
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Magnetism 1r (KS4 PP)
Heat and thermal energy 5c (KS3 PP)
Measurement of temperature
- sizes and scales 5e (KS3), 5a (KS4)
4) Fireflies (X-ray bright points)
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Magnetism, magnetic forces, bar magnets 1v (KS4 PP)
Energy : electric 5c (KS3 PP)
heat 5a-d (KS4 PP)
5) Explosions on the Sun (flares)
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Magnetism, magnetic forces, bar magnets 1v (KS4 PP)
Energy : electric 5c (KS3 PP)
heat 5a-d (KS4 PP)
kinetic 5h (KS4 PP)
6) Coronal Mass Ejections
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Velocity, acceleration 2c (KS4 PP), 2d (KS4 PP)
7) Coronal holes and the solar wind
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Magnetism, bar magnet 1v (KS4 PP)
Velocity, acceleration 2c (KS4 PP), 2d (KS4 PP)
Evaporation 1a-c (KS3 MP?)
8) Coronal heating
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Transverse and longtitudinal waves 3c (KS4 PP)
9) Under the Surface (convection zone)
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Heat transfer - convection 5c (KS4 PP)
10) Ringing like a bell (solar oscillations)
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Sound waves 3m,3n (KS3 PP), 3a,e,f (KS4 PP)
Seismic waves (on the Earth) 3m (KS4)
11) Solar core
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Nuclear energy ??
12) The Sun/Earth connection (space weather)
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Sizes and scales 4b (KS3 PP), 4a (KS4 PP)
global change/UV radiation 3i (KS4 PP), Human environment.
13) Out in Space (solar spacecraft)
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Rocket engines 2g (KS4 PP)
Gravity 2h, i (KS4 PP)
Newton's Laws 2e, f, g (KS4 PP)
14) The Sun - Our Star
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How stars evolve 4c (KS4 PP)
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Note in addition that there are specific sections of the NC
related to:
The Earth and beyond, which covers:
KS3:
a) that the apparent daily and annual movement of the Sun
and other stars is caused by the movement of the Earth;
b) the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and planets
in the solar system;
c) that graviational forces determine the movements of planets
around the Sun;
d) that the Sun and other stars are light sources and that
planets and other bodies are seen by reflected light;
e) that artificial satellites can be used to observe the Earth
and explore the solar system.
KS4:
a) the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, Sun, planets
and other bodies in the Universe;
b) the gravitational forces determine the movements of planets,
moons, comets and satellites;
c) how stars evolve over a long time-scale
d) about some ideas used to explain the evolution of the Universe
into its present state