and there is no oxygen in space, then how does the sun stay burning?
2006-08-21 08:17:32 · 4 answers · asked by jssckly 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Precisely. The sun is a giant ball of hydrogen that is being fused into helium through the nuclear process. It does NOT burn anything like a common fire.
Fusion gives out incredible amounts of energy, in the forms of heat, light, and EM waves. The sun is basically a nuclear bomb that is constantly going off. However, it doesn't explode outward because its mass is enough that its own gravity hold is together.
2006-08-21 09:54:12 · answer #1 · answered by iandanielx 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yeah these guys nailed it. The sun is not "on fire". It is a large mass of hydrogen gas that is undergoing thermonuclear fusion. This type of reaction converts mass into energy (the old famous e=mc^2). Fire generates energy from mass but by a chemical process not a nuclear process. Nuclear fusion requires no oxygen to initiate or sustain.
2006-08-21 17:59:14 · answer #2 · answered by paulie_biggs 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Sun is not burning in the sense that you mean. The Sun burns "nuclear" fuel. It is combining atoms of hydrogen to produce helium and energy.
2006-08-21 15:30:31 · answer #3 · answered by rscanner 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
very well said you 2, i was goina say somethin like that...*cough*
2006-08-21 18:16:55 · answer #4 · answered by jason6x6x6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋