Rank the Layers of the Sun Based on Their Average Temperature from Hottest to Coolest

To rank the layers of the Sun by their average temperatures, we start with the hottest layer and work our way down. The correct order is:

1. Core (hottest) – The core is where nuclear fusion occurs, reaching temperatures of about 15 million degrees Celsius.
2. Corona – Surprisingly, the outer atmosphere, or corona, can be hotter than the surface of the Sun, reaching temperatures between 1 to 3 million degrees Celsius.
3. Radiative Zone – In the radiative zone, temperatures range from about 7 million degrees Celsius to around 2 million degrees Celsius as you move outward.
4. Convective Zone – The convective zone has temperatures that range from about 2 million degrees Celsius at the bottom to around 5,500 degrees Celsius at the surface.
5. Photosphere – The photosphere is what we see as the surface of the Sun, with a temperature of about 5,500 degrees Celsius.
6. Chromosphere (coolest) – The chromosphere lies above the photosphere and has temperatures around 4,000 to 25,000 degrees Celsius, making it cooler than the photosphere.

This ranking highlights the fascinating structure of the Sun, where temperatures vary significantly across different layers, reflecting the complex processes that sustain solar activity.