What physical process underlies the generation of the solar wind outflow?
Answer
The thermal expansion of the superheated, magnetized atmosphere overcoming gravity
The solar wind is a direct consequence of the Sun being so hot at its surface (the corona) that the thermal energy is sufficient to overcome the Sun's gravity, leading to the escape of ionized material.
Related Questions
What are the main constituents of the solar wind plasma?Where do solar neutrinos originate deep within the Sun?What speed characterizes the fast solar wind, and what feature does it originate from?What primary factor dictates the dramatic influence of the solar wind on the solar system's magnetic environment?What causes phenomena like auroras on Earth?What is the primary mechanism that carves out the heliosphere?How long might it take for a proton in the solar wind to escape the Sun's outer layers compared to a neutrino?Why must neutrino detection experiments be placed deep underground?What is the functional difference between magnetic field lines causing fast wind versus slow wind?What aspect of the solar wind is often the most crucial factor in determining a severe geomagnetic storm?What physical process underlies the generation of the solar wind outflow?