Question

With the help of necessary equations, explain the
process of fusion in sun. Why it occurs at very high temperature?

Or

How is energy produced in sun continuously? Explain with equation. Why is it occurs at very high temperature?

Or

How is energy produced in sun? Explain by giving necessary equations.
​

Answer 1

Answer:

The sun generates energy from a process called nuclear fusion. During nuclear fusion, the high pressure and temperature in the sun's core cause nuclei to separate from their electrons. Hydrogen nuclei fuse to form one helium atom. Yet this amount of energy is enormous.

Nuclear fusion, the source of all the energy so generously radiated by the Sun, does two things: it converts hydrogen into helium and it converts mass to energy .The outward pressure from the fusion reactions keeps the stars from collapsing.

Answer 2

★ Solution :-

We see that all three questions are inter related to each other and we can easily figure ouy solution of each . Let's discuss them one by one .

» How is energy produced in sun ?

Energy is produced in sun by the method of Nuclear Fusion. In this process the atoms of lighter elements like Hydrogen are present in their isotopic forms. Also since the pressure and temperature is very high at sun these isotpes decompose and react with each other. When they react Hydrogen get's decomposed and a large amount of energy in the form of heat and light is released. This reaction is continuous that is, it is being performed endlessly. This nuclear fusion reaction is dependent on pressure and temperature.

» Equation for energy produced in the sun ::

Deutrium + Tritium → Helium + n + Heat + Light

• Here Deutrium is an isotope of Hydrogen which is radioactive in nature.

• Here Tritium is an isotope of Hydrogen which is less reactive and heavy in nature.

• Helium is the product formed after the Fusion of two atoms.

• Also one nucleus (n) is also formed in the fusion which shows the mass of the atom.

• We see thaf heat and light is also formed as the product of this reaction.

• Why high temperature and pressure are necessary for Nuclear Fusion to happen ?

Actually the reaction of nuclear fusion requires tremendous amount of heat so that the reactants can fuse with each other. Deutrium and Tritium are very unlike isotopes of hydrogen. They don't combine with each to perform Nuclear Fusion. On getting heat and pressure, there orbitals collapse and release energy.

• How is energy produced by sun continuously ?

We know that nuclear fusion is a chain reaction. This means that when one cycle of reaction is completed, the reaction uses residual reactants and performs reaction again. And in each and every cycle there is some amount of residual reactants left. As long as high temperature and pressure is provided to the reaction, it continues. And also we know that sun's surface and crust is made up of hydrogen only.

• How is energy carried to the whole surface of earth and to surroundings ?

The atoms here collide with a speed nearly equal to the speed of light. Even these atoms have higher mass. We know the equation of special relativity as E = mc² where energy is in electron volts. This energy get's transferred to the surroundings and is thus utilised.

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★ More to know :-

• Nuclear Fusion : It is the reaction in which the atoms of heavier elements are bombarded with nucleus of lighter elements to release energy.

• Regolith : It is a special type of soil found in crust of stars and some planets like Moon which is used to produce energy since it has Hydrogen trapped in it's molecules.