Final answer:
Solar prominences are gaseous features that appear as loops or arcs above the Sun's surface, while solar flares are sudden bursts of electromagnetic radiation that can lead to coronal mass ejections affecting Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Solar prominences and solar flares are two manifestations of solar activity that are closely related to the sunspots and magnetic changes on the Sun's surface. Solar prominences are large, bright, gaseous features that extend outward from the Sun's surface. They can be observed as red loops or arcs rising above the sun, especially during solar eclipses, and can remain nearly stable for hours or days. There are different types of prominences; the quiescent prominences are these stable formations, while the eruptive prominences are more dynamic, oftentimes releasing matter into the corona at impressive speeds up to 1300 kilometers per second.
On the other hand, a solar flare is a sudden and temporary outburst of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun, covering a large volume in the solar corona. Flares can also result in coronal mass ejections (CMEs), where protons and electrons are ejected into interplanetary space at high speeds. These CMEs can have various effects on Earth, including disruptions in communication and power systems due to their electromagnetic nature.