Source of solar energy?

Question

How did physicists explain solar energy around 1900 when classical physics was at its zenith but nuclear physics was unknown?

Answer 1

Before nuclear physics, all sorts of explanations were tried, but none came close to providing enough energy to explain how the Sun could have kept producing as much energy as it does for so long. The last, best idea before nuclear reactions were discovered was gravitational collapse. When a gas is compressed it heats up. The Sun's gravity is strong enough to explain it's energy output with a surprisingly small shrinkage each year.

Answer 2

The sun has produced energy for billions of years. Solar energy is the solar radiation that reaches the earth.
Solar energy can be converted directly or indirectly into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity. The major drawbacks (problems, or issues to overcome) of solar energy are: (1) the intermittent and variable manner in which it arrives at the earth's surface and, (2) the large area required to collect it at a useful rate.
Solar energy is used for heating water for domestic use, space heating of buildings, drying agricultural products, and generating electrical energy.
In the 1830s, the British astronomer John Herschel used a solar collector box to cook food during an expedition to Africa. Now, people are trying to use the sun's energy for lots of things.
Electric utilities are are trying photovoltaics, a process by which solar energy is converted directly to electricity. Electricity can be produced directly from solar energy using photovoltaic devices or indirectly from steam generators using solar thermal collectors to heat a working fluid.
Out of the 13 known solar electric generating units operating in the US at the end of 2002, 11 of these are in California, and 2 in Arizona. No statistics are being collected on solar plants that produce less than 1 megawatt of electricity, so there may be smaller solar plants in a number of other states.
PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY
Photovoltaic energy is the conversion of sunlight into electricity through a photovoltaic (PVs) cell, commonly called a solar cell. A photovoltaic cell is a nonmechanical device usually made from silicon alloys.
Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of solar energy. These photons contain various amounts of energy corresponding to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. When photons strike a photovoltaic cell, they may be reflected, pass right through, or be absorbed. Only the absorbed photons provide energy to generate electricity. When enough sunlight (energy) is absorbed by the material (a semiconductor), electrons are dislodged from the material's atoms. Special treatment of the material surface during manufacturing makes the front surface of the cell more receptive to free electrons, so the electrons naturally migrate to the surface.

Answer 3

There are some nay-sayers right here, and likely with the present technologies attainable it could be complicated for the image voltaic marketplace to outshine the different techniques of potential production. I do have faith in spite of the shown fact that, that with extra beneficial study and developement, image voltaic and/or wind will could desire to be the hot source of potential to potential the planet. they are countless components with purely the the thank you to harness them desiring to yet be got here upon. there is completely plenty fossil gasoline left to scouse borrow from the planet. i'm useful that there are the thank you to make an effective public transportaion unit that could desire to be powered with the aid of electrical energy. possibly a variety of electromagnetic prepare? We won't at the instant have the potential to replace oil, coal, or different fossil fuels, yet with the shortcoming of gasoline left and the want pending for a sparkling suggestions-set, we could desire to look on the countless resourses we've. I say we could desire to placed extra attempt into the R&D of harnessing those components and much less attempt into finding and farming the extra beneficial diminishing fossil fuels.

Answer 4

Very briefly.... in a nutshell.. the SUN is the source of solar energy

Answer 5

is the really nuclear, i,ve never seen it one hundred percent some indications it's half fission motion dynamics and result of original energy energy when it started with acceleration indicate plasma forms due to pressure and velocity +resistance/inertia

Answer 6

I guess campbelp2002 is the only one who actually read the question and explanation. Right answer, first answer, that's my vote.