if space is a vacuum and no oxygen is present how can the sun exist?

Answer 1

The Sun is the most prominent feature in our solar system. It is the largest object and contains approximately 98% of the total solar system mass. One hundred and nine Earths would be required to fit across the Sun's disk, and its interior could hold over 1.3 million Earths. The Sun's outer visible layer is called the photosphere and has a temperature of 6,000°C (11,000°F). This layer has a mottled appearance due to the turbulent eruptions of energy at the surface.
Solar energy is created deep within the core of the Sun. It is here that the temperature (15,000,000° C; 27,000,000° F) and pressure (340 billion times Earth's air pressure at sea level) is so intense that nuclear reactions take place. This reaction causes four protons or hydrogen nuclei to fuse together to form one alpha particle or helium nucleus. The alpha particle is about .7 percent less massive than the four protons. The difference in mass is expelled as energy and is carried to the surface of the Sun, through a process known as convection, where it is released as light and heat. Energy generated in the Sun's core takes a million years to reach its surface. Every second 700 million tons of hydrogen are converted into helium ashes. In the process 5 million tons of pure energy is released; therefore, as time goes on the Sun is becoming lighter.



The chromosphere is above the photosphere. Solar energy passes through this region on its way out from the center of the Sun. Faculae and flares arise in the chromosphere. Faculae are bright luminous hydrogen clouds which form above regions where sunspots are about to form. Flares are bright filaments of hot gas emerging from sunspot regions. Sunspots are dark depressions on the photosphere with a typical temperature of 4,000°C (7,000°F).

The corona is the outer part of the Sun's atmosphere. It is in this region that prominences appears. Prominences are immense clouds of glowing gas that erupt from the upper chromosphere. The outer region of the corona stretches far into space and consists of particles traveling slowly away from the Sun. The corona can only be seen during total solar eclipses. (See Solar Eclipse Image).

The Sun appears to have been active for 4.6 billion years and has enough fuel to go on for another five billion years or so. At the end of its life, the Sun will start to fuse helium into heavier elements and begin to swell up, ultimately growing so large that it will swallow the Earth. After a billion years as a red giant, it will suddenly collapse into a white dwarf -- the final end product of a star like ours. It may take a trillion years to cool off completely.

Answer 2

The sun is mad up of gases, manly hydrogen. Due to a process called hydrogen fusion, the sun is able to make huge amounts of energy. Some day the sun will run out of energy and burn out but for now it is still burning. Plus I think fire dosent need just oxygen to burn. As long as a gas or source of energy is available to feed it, fire can live. You would know this if you had payed attention in science class in high school. Christians: -1=0 Atheists: 1

Answer 3

The sun does not need oxygen to burn. The sun is a giant thermonuclear reaction and presently is going thru a process called 'fusion' whereby atoms of hydrogen are fused together to form helium atoms. Energy is released in this process which is why the sun gives off light. No oxygen is necessary in this process.

Answer 4

The sun is a self sustaining ball of energy. Hydrogen atoms fuse with each other in a process called Fusion. No oxygen is needed for this process to occur. With the fusion of hydrogen atoms, huge amounts of energy is released, resulting in the formation of stars. There is no fire on the sun.

Answer 5

first of all outer space isnt a perfect vacuum. iit is close because it is so huge and the density isnt uniform. because of gravity as you approach a large mass the density of space will increase

but more to the actual point the sun doesnt require oxygen to generate energy

Answer 6

The sun doesn't require oxygen. It's a nuclear fusion reaction.

Answer 7

Dont really know,but suppose its due to the size of it.
That huge fireball would burn anywhere.
They say if you heated a pinhead to the same temperature as the centre of the sun(15 million degrees)it would set light to everything around it for 60 miles.

Answer 8

the sun doesn't need any oxygen, it burns hydrogen and helium and stuff instead.

Answer 9

E = mc squared... ain't no O2 there!

Answer 10

it burns hydrogen,it will run out in a few million yrs.