ASTRON 1010 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Geomagnetic Reversal, Corona, Fusion Power
Document Summary
The sun generates energy by slowly contracting in size, a process called gravitational contraction. E=mc^2 tells us that mass itself contains an enormous amount of potential energy enough for fusion. The sun shines by converting mass into energy through nuclear fusion. Gravitational equilibrium, is the balance between the outward push of. Gravitational contraction released the energy that made the sun"s core hot energy in the sun"s core and the rate at which the sun"s surface radiates this. Energy balance, is the balance between the rate at which fusion releases. Two types of balance keep the sun stable: pressure balances gravity and internal gas pressure and the inward pull of gravity fusion energy balances the energy radiated into space. The sun is a giant ball of hot gas or plasma (a gas in which atoms are ionized. Sunspots, which appear as dark splotches on the sun"s surface, can be larger.
