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HomeSpaceHow can the Sun burn without the presence of oxygen in space?

How can the Sun burn without the presence of oxygen in space?

The Sun, the massive star that lights and warms us every day, is sparking renewed curiosity, especially after recent solar storms that made headlines. One question is particularly intriguing: how can the Sun burn without oxygen in space?

The Sun and oxygen: a fundamental question

Recent solar activity has sparked growing interest in our star, particularly after a solar storm that caused aurora borealis at unusual latitudes and disrupted some satellites in Earth's orbit. This curiosity has led many people to wonder how the Sun can burn in the absence of oxygen, an essential element for combustion on Earth.

False analogy with terrestrial combustion:

  • On Earth, fire requires oxygen for combustion.
  • The Sun, on the other hand, does not burn in the same way as the fires we know.
  • Nuclear fusion: the engine of the Sun

    The answer to this question lies in nuclear fusion, the process by which the Sun generates its energy. Unlike combustion which requires oxygen, nuclear fusion is a reaction where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium, releasing an immense amount of energy.

    Nuclear fusion process:

  • Four hydrogen nuclei combine to form a helium nucleus.
  • The reaction releases energy according to Einstein's equation E=mcยฒ, where part of the mass is converted into energy.
  • Difference between nuclear fusion and fission

    It is important to distinguish nuclear fusion from nuclear fission, the latter being used in terrestrial nuclear power plants.

    Comparison of the two processes:

  • Fission involves splitting heavy nuclei like uranium to release energy.
  • Fusion, on the other hand, involves combining lightweight nuclei, releasing more energy but being much more difficult to achieve and maintain.
  • Efforts to replicate fusion on Earth

    Scientists are seeking to replicate nuclear fusion on Earth to create a clean, nearly inexhaustible source of energy. However, this process remains extremely complex and expensive.

    Challenges of terrestrial nuclear fusion:

  • Currently, fusion reactors consume more energy than they produce.
  • Reactor materials degrade quickly under the extreme conditions required for fusion.
  • Outlook for the future of fusion

    Despite these challenges, nuclear fusion is considered a promising solution for the planet's energy future. Scientists are convinced that mastering this technology could revolutionize our approach to energy and contribute significantly to the preservation of the environment.

    Potential benefits:

  • Clean energy without greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Almost unlimited hydrogen resources, available in seawater.
  • Advances in nuclear fusion research offer a glimmer of hope for a future where energy is abundant and clean, just like that produced by our star, the Sun.

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