The solar wind is composed primarily of which types of subatomic particles streaming continuously from the Sun's upper atmosphere?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Protons and electrons

  1. Step 1: The solar wind is a continuous stream of charged plasma ejected radially outward from the solar corona through coronal holes at supersonic speeds (300 to 800 km/s).
  2. Step 2: Because the Sun is composed predominantly of hydrogen plasma, the solar wind is composed of roughly 95% protons (hydrogen ions) and electrons, with a minority of alpha particles (He^2+).
Answer
Protons and electrons
Why not the others: 'Neutrons and neutrinos' Neutrinos are neutral leptons produced in core fusion, and free neutrons decay quickly; solar wind is ionized plasma; 'Alpha particles only' Alpha particles (helium nuclei) make up about 4% of solar wind ions, but protons constitute over 95%; 'Positrons and antiprotons' Antimatter particles are extremely rare and do not comprise the macroscopic solar wind.

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