Astronomy
Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
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Textbook Question
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Chapter 16, Problem 1E

How do we know the age of the Sun?

Expert Solution & Answer
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To determine

The age of the Sun and the method to determine it.

Answer to Problem 1E

The age of the Sun is about 4.5 billion years ago and it is determined by radiometric dating.

Explanation of Solution

Sun is formed nearly at the time of formation of the solar system, so the age of the Sun can be determined by radiometric dating of objects which are known to have formed at the time of Solar system formation.

There is no precise time of the Sun’s birth but it is calculated and found that it is around more than 4.5billion years old.

Radiometric dating is a method used to measure the age of rocks and fossils and other solid objects. This method is reliable because it uses proportions of isotopes and atoms in an object. Carbon-14 is one of the elements used for radiometric dating.

There are various ways to determine the age of the Sun. It can also be done by measuring the half-lives of objects, objects whose decay time is very long can also be used to determine the age of the Sun.

Conclusion:

Thus, the age of the Sun is about 4.5 billion years ago and it is determined by radiometric dating.

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Chapter 16 Solutions

Astronomy

Ch. 16 - What conditions are required before proton-proton...Ch. 16 - Describe the two main ways that energy travels...Ch. 16 - Someone suggests that astronomers build a special...Ch. 16 - Earth contains radioactive elements whose decay...Ch. 16 - The Sun is much larger and more massive than...Ch. 16 - A friend who has not had the benefit of an...Ch. 16 - Which of the following transformations is (are)...Ch. 16 - Why is a higher temperature required to fuse...Ch. 16 - Earth’s atmosphere is in hydrostatic equilibrium....Ch. 16 - Explain what it means when we say that Earth’s...Ch. 16 - What mechanism transfers heat away from the...Ch. 16 - Suppose you are standing a few feet away from a...Ch. 16 - Give some everyday examples of the transport of...Ch. 16 - Suppose the proton-proton cycle in the Sun were to...Ch. 16 - Do you think that nuclear fusion takes place in...Ch. 16 - Why is fission not an important energy source in...Ch. 16 - Why do you suppose so great a fraction of the...Ch. 16 - Explain how mathematical computer models allow us...Ch. 16 - Estimate the amount of mass that is converted to...Ch. 16 - How much energy is released when a proton combines...Ch. 16 - The Sun converts 4109 kg of mass to energy every...Ch. 16 - Assume that the mass of the Sun is 75% hydrogen...Ch. 16 - In fact, the conversion of mass to energy in the...Ch. 16 - Now suppose that all of the hydrogen atoms in the...Ch. 16 - Models of the Sun indicate that only about 10% of...Ch. 16 - Show that the statement in the text is correct:...Ch. 16 - Every second, the Sun converts 4 million tons of...Ch. 16 - Raymond Davis Jr.’s neutrino detector contained...
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