Question

What is peculiar about the rotation of the Sun?

a. It rotates slower at the equator and faster at the poles

b. It rotates faster at the equator and slower at the poles

c. Its rotation speeds up and slows down depending on the solar cycle

d. It rotates backwards compared with most of the solar system planets

Answer 1

The rotation of the Sun is peculiar because it exhibits differential rotation. It rotates faster at the equator and slower at the poles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rotation of the Sun is peculiar because it exhibits differential rotation, meaning that its rotation speed varies with latitude. The Sun rotates faster at the equator and slower at the poles.

The rotation period is about 25 days at the equator, 28 days at latitude 40°, and 36 days at latitude 80°. This behavior is due to the fact that the Sun is a gas and does not rotate rigidly like a solid body.