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The sun's "fire" comes from the sustained nuclear reaction at its core, where hydrogen is being fused into helium by the tremendous pressure, releasing massive amounts of energy in the process. No oxygen is necessary for this to occur.

2007-08-19 16:15:54 · answer #1 · answered by Nature Boy 6 · 1 0

Strictly speaking, the sun does not burn. At least, not the way that, say, a wick on a candle does. The small fires we're all familiar with are created by a chemical reaction betweena fuel, such as oil or coal, and oxygen. The sun's writhing surface is the result of "a nuclear reaction that fuses hydrogen to form helium," saus Jerald Navratil, a physicist at Columbia University.

Hydrogen is the primary constituent of the sun's core. The tremendous amount of energy from fusion creates temperatures as hot as 1,000,000°C at the core. This energy is conducted slowly to the sun's surface where temperatures around 5,000°C create the brightness that lights days on Earth. The fusion reaction continues in the sun and other stars because these high temperatures cause the hydrogen nuclei to vibrate. And the more they vibrate, the more likely they are to collide, fuse, and then create additional energy to sustain the process. A star can also explode, or supernova, if it produces more energy than is required to sustain the fusion reaction.

Scientists have long labored to develop nuclear fusion as an efficient nonpolluting alternative to nuclear fission — the splitting of atomic nuclei to produce energy in today's nuclear power plants. Per reaction, fusion gives off much more energy than fission. Fusion also avoids the dangerous radioactive waste associated with fission. But scientists have yet to be able to reproduce the tremendous temperatures required for a fusion reaction.

2007-08-19 16:17:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

The sun generates its energy because of a process going on in its center called 'nuclear fusion.' This is the same process that happens in a hydrogen bomb, only in the sun its been going on for 4.5-billion years and will continue for at least another 4-billion years.

Nuclear fusion doesn't require any oxygen.

2007-08-19 16:17:18 · answer #3 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 2 1

The sunlight isn't powered by ability of burning interior the way a hearth is, no longer to show our automobiles, planes and maximum potential flowers are. particularly, nuclear fusion is what powers the sunlight. In that is center the temperature and stress are so super hydrogen atoms slam into one yet another and merge to variety helium nuclei in a three step technique suggested as the proton-proton chain. some 654 million loads of hydrogen are converted into helium each and each 2d, forming 650 million loads of helium. the rest is converted into lively gamma rays and extreme warmth throughout the time of the nicely regular E=mc2 equation, and that top potential radiation turns into the warmth and easy we count number on for our survival because it works that is way outwards to the outdoors. The sunlight is in result a thermonuclear explosion so super that its own gravity holds it at the same time and maintains nuclear reactions in a self-retaining way. it is how the sunlight become waiting to polish for 4.6 billion years, and could be waiting to proceed to polish for six or 7 billion years extra in the previous it ultimately exhausts all supplies of potential and turns right into a white dwarf.

2016-12-12 07:09:27 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

The sun is fusion powered. Only combustion requires oxygen.

2007-08-19 16:21:15 · answer #5 · answered by Sean 1 · 0 0

Its not using up oxygen because its not really burning. The elements within the star actually combine to make heavier elements. The process is called fusion and it releases immense quantities of energy. Goggle for fusion and read about it.

2007-08-19 16:16:55 · answer #6 · answered by dudas_91 4 · 1 1

When things are as hot as the sun they glow. That is why it looks like it is on fire. It is just hot gases heated from the hydrogen fussing deep in the interior.

2007-08-19 16:18:29 · answer #7 · answered by bravozulu 7 · 1 0

the sun is not on fire. it gets its power by thermo-nuclear fusion. it combines hydrogen atoms to form helium and that gives off energy in the form of light and heat.

2007-08-19 16:14:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3 0

Fusion needs no oxygen, it creates oxygen and other elements.

2007-08-21 14:48:26 · answer #9 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0 0

Radius maximus, your brain is running on minimus. The sun it carrying out nuclear fusion reactions, and not oxidation burning as it means of generating energy.

2007-08-19 16:15:46 · answer #10 · answered by cattbarf 7 · 4 3

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