Which of the following statements about sunspots is false?
a. they are areas of the sun that are "burnt out."
c. they are cooler than the surrounding areas of the sun.
b. they occur on the surface of the sun.
d. they occur in cycles.

A. These areas of the sun are not "burnt out." They are areas on the sun's surface (C) that are cooler than the surrounding areas (B) caused by cyclical fluctuation of the magnetic field due to convection and radiation taking place on the sun (D).