2007-12-02 05:30:07 · 3 answers · asked by Mike G 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Gravity holds the sun together. The energy released from nuclear fission tries to blow it apart. Hydrostatic equilibrium is the balance between these two forces.
In about five billion years when our sun runs low on hydrogen and begins to fuse helium, the energy release will increase and the sun will increase in size until a new hydrostatic equilibrium point is reached. At that stage our sun will be a red giant.
2007-12-02 05:37:40 · answer #1 · answered by jgoulden 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravity (huge) holds it together and in position in the Galaxy.
Jack is right it's Fusion but, sorry Jack not of 'H' + 'H' but of 'D' + 'D' (Deuterium (Heavy Hydrogen), which has the necessary Neutron in its Nucleus to form Helium).
Hydrostatic equilibrium is what we have on Earth with the 'Earth's Water Cycle' (or Hydrological Cycle), in which the amount of water on Earth never changes. Only its distribution will change.
2007-12-02 06:38:07 · answer #2 · answered by Norrie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
fusion, not fission.
H + H ==> He
2007-12-02 05:47:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋