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If all nuclear fusion in the CORE of the sun ceased immediately, how long would it take for us on the Earth to see the sun begin to get dark?

A. 8 minutes
B. 1 day
C. 100 years
D. 1 million years

2007-11-10 07:20:53 · 8 answers · asked by tdoby3 2 in Science & Mathematics Astronomy & Space

8 answers

This is a sneaky-interesting question. If it is just asking "How long does it take for us to see something that happened on the sun?" then the answer would be 8 minutes, (and 20 seconds). But since "core" is emphasized, we have to consider how long it would take for that effect to be noticed at the surface. In that case, it would take a million years, because that's how long it takes photons to get from the core to the surface. BUT, that is not how long it would take for the whole sun to show signs that something catastrophic happened at the core. In that case, I don't know, but it would probably be B or C.

2007-11-10 07:27:23 · answer #1 · answered by Brant 7 · 1 0

I agree with KBW3. The light you see from the sun does not come from the core. It comes from the outer layers of the sun which are glowing from the energy produced by the core. If the fusion in the core suddenly stopped, the outer layers would continue to glow for a long time (if you ignore the fact that the sun will collapse and then explode).

The same thing happens in a lightbulb. When you turn off a light, the electricity stops flowing immediately, but the bulb continues to glow for a short time because the filament is still hot.

2007-11-10 08:42:33 · answer #2 · answered by John B 6 · 0 0

The fusion technique is introduced approximately by utilising huge volumes of gas pressing down onto the middle of the ball. All of that stress motives warmth. The enormous stress and extreme warmth reaches some specific element and while that element is exceeded, fusion starts. The fusion it rather is maximum user-friendly is of Hydrogen gas into Helium gas. That nuclear fusion reaction produces extra warmth and a extensive spectrum of light radiation which tiers from the visable to the extremely and infra pink rays and contains X Rays and Gamma Rays. to furnish you some theory of the pressures in touch...The solar has a diameter of 864,900 Miles. evaluate that with the measley diameter of the Earth that's 7,926 Miles. So, on the solar, you're coping with (in case you merely inspect a single slice of the famous person for applications of talk) a stack of hydrogen and helium gas 432,450 miles intense and that enormous of a stack of gas weighs a lot and a lot of much.

2016-10-02 01:16:43 · answer #3 · answered by ramayo 4 · 0 0

I should think it to be a trick question. After all, the concept of entropy would just renew the Sun's nuclear fusion elsewhere, that is, outside of the core. However, since the sun's core is a sizable fraction of the sun itself, then the sun's life will be significantly diminished. I would say that the closest estimate would have to be D.

2007-11-10 08:06:19 · answer #4 · answered by TennisMan 2 · 0 0

SINCE IT'S NUCLEAR FUSION THAT CREATES THE LIGHT IT WOULD TAKE THE LENGTH OF TIME IT TAKES FOR LIGHT TO TRAVEL FROM THE SUN TO THE EARTH OR ABOUT 8 MINUTES.

2007-11-10 08:11:26 · answer #5 · answered by Loren S 7 · 0 1

A or B because it would happen sooooo fast because it could spread in sight faster and we are close to it

2007-11-10 07:46:43 · answer #6 · answered by Ganon136 2 · 0 1

a dude

2007-11-10 07:49:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

A

2007-11-10 07:24:29 · answer #8 · answered by john b 2 · 0 1

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