Answer to Question #289694 in Civil and Environmental Engineering for Topher

Question

Harnessing the Power of the sun

a. Write the equation for the nuclear fusion reaction of deuterium to helium.

Explain this process. Use illusrations.

b. How much energy is released by the sun in a minute? Use Einstein’s equation

for special relativity.

c. Do you think the nuclear fusion reaction inside the sun’s core will cease at

some point? Explain your reasons for believing such a case.

d. How did astronomers determine the elemental composition of the sun?

e. Do you think this process could be replicated here on Earth?

Answer 1

a). A significant fusion reaction for practical energy generation is that amid deuterium and tritium (the D-T fusion reaction). It yields helium (He) and a neutron (n) and is written D + T → He + n.

b). E = mc^2

c). Minus the nuclear reactions, the Sun would start to collapse.

d). The most mutual method astronomers use to determine the composition of stars, planets, and other objects are spectroscopy.

e). There, extreme heat and gravity turn hydrogen atoms into helium. The process releases energy which then radiates out into the solar system. For many years, scientists have tried to recreate nuclear fusion on Earth. Instead, the artificial suns being created today are nuclear fusion reactors.