Astronomy
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168284
Author: Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher: OpenStax
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Textbook Question
Chapter 16, Problem 26E
Why is fission not an important energy source in the Sun?
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how does the model shows how the reaction inside the Sun leads to the release of energy and how the reaction complies with the Law of Conservation of Matter
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The proton – proton cycle responsible for the Sun’s 3.84 x 1026 W power output yields about 26.7 MeV of energy for every four protons that are fused into a helium nucleus. Determine (a) the energy in joules released during each proton – proton cycle fusion reaction, (b) the number of proton – proton cycles occurring per second in the Sun, and (c) the change in the Sun’s mass each second due to this energy release.
Chapter 16 Solutions
Astronomy
Ch. 16 - How do we know the age of the Sun?Ch. 16 - Explain how we know that the Sun’s energy is not...Ch. 16 - What is the ultimate source of energy that makes...Ch. 16 - What are the formulas for the three steps in the...Ch. 16 - How is a neutrino different from a neutron? List...Ch. 16 - Describe in your own words what is meant by the...Ch. 16 - Two astronomy students travel to South Dakota. One...Ch. 16 - What do measurements of the number of neutrinos...Ch. 16 - Do neutrinos have mass? Describe how the answer to...Ch. 16 - Neutrinos produced in the core of the Sun carry...
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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- How does activity on the Sun affect natural phenomena on Earth?arrow_forwardWhat conditions are required before proton-proton chain fusion can start in the Sun?arrow_forwardSomeone suggests that astronomers build a special gamma-ray detector to detect gamma rays produced during the proton-proton chain in the core of the Sun, just like they built a neutrino detector. Explain why this would be a fruitless effort.arrow_forward
- How is a neutrino different from a neutron? List all the ways you can think of.arrow_forwardDescribe how energy makes its way from the nuclear core of the Sun to the atmosphere. Include the name of each layer and how energy moves through the layer.arrow_forwardDo you think that nuclear fusion takes place in the atmospheres of stars? Why or why not?arrow_forward
- The nuclear process for fusing helium into carbon is often called the “triple-alpha process.” Why is it called as such, and why must it occur at a much higher temperature than the nuclear process for fusing hydrogen into helium?arrow_forwardDo neutrinos have mass? Describe how the answer to this question has changed over time and why.arrow_forwardWhat is the average density of the Sun? How does it compare to the average density of Earth?arrow_forward
- 2 protons released in what step of solar nuclear fusion? a. step 1 b. step 2 c. none of the steps d. step 3arrow_forwardThe total energy output from the Sun of around 3.8 x 1026 joules per second, what is the mass of elements consumed in order to produce this amount of energy?arrow_forwardThe sun generates its energy through nuclear fusion, making helium from hydrogen. The main process by which this happens, called the proton-proton chain, goes as follows: Two protons come together to create deuterium, a positron, a neutrino, and energy: p + p ⟶ D + e+ + ν + energy The deuterium fuses with another proton to make 3He: D + p ⟶ 3He + energy Fianlly, 4He is produced by fusing two 3He nuclei together: 3He + 3He ⟶ 4He + p + p + energy What is the total energy released during the creation of one 4He nucleus? Give your answer in MeV, and remember that you need to make two 3He nuclei in the process. Be sure to use at least five significant figures for your masses, but your final answer should have three or four sig figs.arrow_forward
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