Question

How does the sun burn in space as the sun is a ball of fire?

Answer 1

Nuclear fusion

1. It is a process in which two light nuclei merge and form a single heavier nucleus.
2. In this process energy is released.
3. The mass of the two nuclei combined will not be the same as the mass of the heavier nuclei formed, some mass is lost.
4. This lost mass is converted into heat energy by the equation $E=m{c}^2$ where $E$ is energy, $m$ is mass that is converted into energy and $c$ is the speed of light.
5. Proton – proton chain reaction:
6. $$\begin{gathered} {}_1{H}^1+{}_1{H}^1\to {}_1{H}^2+1e^0+energy \\ {}_1{H}^2+{}_1{H}^1\to fusion\to {}_{2}H{e}^3+energy \\ {}_{2}H{e}^3+{}_1{H}^1\to fusion\to {}_{2}H{e}^{4+}+1e^0+energy \end{gathered}$$, ${}_1{H}^2$ is the positron.
7. The overall reaction, is $4{}_1{H}^1-->$fusion$\to {}_{2}H{e}^4+2e^0+$energy

Glowing or burning of the sun

1. The sun does not burn in space by normal combustion like a piece of paper or wood would burn.
2. The sun glows due to the heat energy produced by the nuclear fusion taking place in its core.
3. In this process, four hydrogen atoms combine to form a helium atom.
4. The difference in mass of the four hydrogen atoms and the helium atom gets converted into heat energy and helps in the burning or glowing of the sun.