2006-06-25 08:18:52 · 12 answers · asked by Morning Star 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The Sun does not have enough mass to explode as a supernova, and its mass is below the Chandrasekhar limit. Instead, in 4–5 billion years, it will enter a red giant phase, its outer layers expanding as the hydrogen fuel in the core is consumed and the core contracts and heats up. Helium fusion will begin when the core temperature reaches about 3×108 K. While it is likely that the expansion of the outer layers of the Sun will reach the current position of Earth's orbit, recent research suggests that mass lost from the Sun earlier in its red giant phase will cause the Earth's orbit to move further out, preventing it from being engulfed. Following the red giant phase, intense thermal pulsations will cause the Sun to throw off its outer layers, forming a planetary nebula. The Sun will then evolve into a white dwarf, slowly cooling over eons. This stellar evolution scenario is typical of low- to medium-mass stars.
2006-06-25 17:13:15 · answer #1 · answered by Professor Armitage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mathes burn on a fuel source. Once the fuel is gone the match is out. The Sun is actually millions of nuclear explosions. It's fuel source will run out also, but not for a couple million more years + or - . Good question!!!!
2006-06-25 15:26:19 · answer #2 · answered by Joseph L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since when is our sun the size of a match stick? I'm glad you didn't create the universe.
2006-06-25 15:23:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the sun is about 10000 trillion times larger than a matchstick. actually probably more than that. the sun is like a billion times the size of the earth, so the sun is probably like 11000 billion to the millionth power larger than a match head.
2006-06-25 15:22:25 · answer #4 · answered by kambria 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nuclear fusion will continue within the sun until all the hydrogen is used up about 10 Billion years from now.
http://www.astronomynotes.com/starsun/s3.htm
2006-06-25 15:24:44 · answer #5 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's not doing a chemical reaction. It's doing nuclear fusion, and that's a completely different process. It in not "burning", like in combustion.
2006-06-25 15:21:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because its just a tiny bit bigger than a match stick.
2006-06-25 15:21:48 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cause its just a little larger than a matchstick.
2006-06-25 15:22:04 · answer #8 · answered by Doylesee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the reaction is totally different, also the sun is alot bigger
2006-06-25 15:22:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does. actually even faster. its just really big and is still burning.
2006-06-25 15:22:05 · answer #10 · answered by iamhermansen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋