The Sun is the main source of energy in the solar system. The Sun is 109 Earth diameters across, and accounts for more than 99%99% of the total mass of the solar system. The Sun shines by fusing hydro...The Sun is the main source of energy in the solar system. The Sun is 109 Earth diameters across, and accounts for more than 99%99% of the total mass of the solar system. The Sun shines by fusing hydrogen nuclei—protons—deep inside its interior. Once this fuel is spent, the Sun will burn helium and, later, other nuclei. Nuclear fusion in the Sun is discussed toward the end of this chapter. In the meantime, we will investigate nuclear properties that govern all nuclear processes, including fusion.
The Sun is the main source of energy in the solar system. The Sun is 109 Earth diameters across, and accounts for more than 99%99% of the total mass of the solar system. The Sun shines by fusing hydro...The Sun is the main source of energy in the solar system. The Sun is 109 Earth diameters across, and accounts for more than 99%99% of the total mass of the solar system. The Sun shines by fusing hydrogen nuclei—protons—deep inside its interior. Once this fuel is spent, the Sun will burn helium and, later, other nuclei. Nuclear fusion in the Sun is discussed toward the end of this chapter. In the meantime, we will investigate nuclear properties that govern all nuclear processes, including fusion.
