2007-02-14 00:23:06 · 5 answers · asked by tanny 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
In theory you could apply enough water to extinguish the sun, the issue with this is that the mass of that water would be so great that it would start to break down and cause fusion of the atoms, thus creating a second star...
Barring this physics barrier and the fact that water contains hydrogen that would just be adding fuel to the sun it is not impossible to extinguish the sun using water it is just HIGHLY improbable. (People will only tell you it is impossible because we have not determined the way to do it yet).
On the other hand I found this article that discusses the size of an explosion needed to destroy the solar system: http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/nov2001/1004909251.As.r.html
Of course extinguishing or destroying the sun would be a rather bad move for most of us so it is probably best to avoid starting your water collection now.
2007-02-14 02:14:45 · answer #1 · answered by amishhockeyguy 2 · 139⤊ 41⤋
You can't do it. At the temperature of the surface of the Sun (5000°C) water dissociates into its component parts. Although you would have a great firework display from the resulting plasma and stuff.
2007-02-14 08:41:17 · answer #2 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 19⤊ 13⤋
No measurable amount of water could do this, as the sun is a glowing ball of gas. You would not be able to get close enough with the water, it woul all evaporate before it could have it's desired effect.
2007-02-14 09:39:56 · answer #3 · answered by rediverse j 1 · 23⤊ 20⤋
About 7 gazillion billion ... that's 7 with 29 zeros after it. Or maybe a few gallons less.
2007-02-14 08:47:44 · answer #4 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 15⤊ 31⤋
It couldn't be "put out" with water. By the time you got the water close enough to the sun, it would turn to steam and vaporize!
2007-02-14 08:31:03 · answer #5 · answered by Gregory B 4 · 37⤊ 17⤋