Which statement about the sun’s rotation is correct?

Question

The gases at the sun’s poles rotate more quickly than the gases at the equator.
The gases at the sun’s poles rotate more quickly than the gases at the equator.

One rotation of the sun takes less time than one of Earth’s rotations.
One rotation of the sun takes less time than one of Earth’s rotations.

The sun’s rotation takes 27 days.
The sun’s rotation takes 27 days.

All parts of the sun rotate at the same rate.

Answer 1

The correct statement about the sun’s rotation is:

The gases at the sun’s poles rotate more quickly than the gases at the equator.

This is due to the sun's differential rotation, where different parts of the sun rotate at different rates. The equator takes about 25 days to complete one rotation, while the poles take about 35 days.

To clarify the inaccuracies in the other statements:

• "One rotation of the sun takes less time than one of Earth’s rotations.": This is misleading. The sun does not rotate in the same manner as a solid body, and the rotation period varies depending on the latitude.

• "The sun’s rotation takes 27 days.": This is a simplification; it takes approximately 25 days at the equator and longer at the poles.

• "All parts of the sun rotate at the same rate.": This is incorrect due to the differential rotation of the sun.

So, the first statement regarding the rotation speed at the poles versus the equator is the most accurate.