Solar Week - Ask a Question

During solar week you can post questions here for our scientists to answer.
   You do not need to register or sign in to post questions,
   just click on one of the forums below and click "Write a New Post".

   You may want to Meet the scientists who will be answering your questions.
   Check out our new blog and FAQs.
in

stars/energy

Last post 09-30-2005 2:41 PM by Kris Sigsbee. 1 replies.
Page 1 of 1 (2 items)
Sort Posts: Previous Next
  • 09-30-2005 12:27 PM

    stars/energy

    Jayke B (WM)

     

    Do stars get there energy like an atom bomb?

     

     

  • 09-30-2005 2:41 PM In reply to

    Re: stars/energy

    Hi Jayke,

    Stars like our Sun get their energy from nuclear fusion reactions deep inside their cores.  Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which lighter atomic nuclei like hydrogen and helium combine together to form heavier atomic nuclei.  On the other hand, nuclear fission is a reaction in which heavy atoms, like uranium, split into lighter atomic nuclei.  Some types of atoms bombs use nuclear fission alone, while other types of atom bombs use a combination of both fusion and fission reactions.  Strictly speaking, stars do not get their energy in the same way as an atom bomb, since stars only involve nuclear fusion.  Nuclear power plants today produce energy through nuclear fission reactions, but someday we may have power plants that use nuclear fusion to produce energy, just like our Sun.

    Kris 

Page 1 of 1 (2 items)

Theme design is SolarWeek by Igor Ruderman based on
Theme Mira 2007 by Chris Lotter.

Powered by Community Server (Commercial Edition), by Telligent Systems