Understanding Our Universe
Understanding Our Universe
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9780393614428
Author: PALEN, Stacy, Kay, Laura, Blumenthal, George (george Ray)
Publisher: W.w. Norton & Company,
bartleby

Concept explainers

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 12, Problem 39QAP

(a)

To determine

The percentage of hydrogen in the core originally.

(a)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 39QAP

The percentage of hydrogen was 70percent of total mass in the core originally.

Explanation of Solution

Sun is middle-aged, main sequence star of G2 spectral type. The surface temperature of the Sun is 5800 K. It continuously produces energy with the help of nuclear fusion occurring in its core that is transferred from its core to outer surface.

The sun had even mass composition of helium and hydrogen throughout its core and surface when it was formed. Helium was 30percent and hydrogen was 70percent at the time of formation of the Sun.

Conclusion:

Thus, the percentage of hydrogen was 70percent of total mass in the core originally.

(b)

To determine

The percentage of hydrogen in the core today.

(b)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 39QAP

The percentage of hydrogen is 35percent of total mass in the core today.

Explanation of Solution

Sun is middle-aged, main sequence star of G2 spectral type. The surface temperature of the Sun is 5800 K. It continuously produces energy with the help of nuclear fusion occurring in its core that is transferred from its core to outer surface.

The sun had even mass composition of helium and hydrogen throughout its core and surface when it was formed. Helium was 30percent and hydrogen was 70percent at the time of formation of the Sun.

However, continuous fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium decreases the amount of hydrogen in the core. Today, only 35percent of total mass is hydrogen and 65percent of total mass is helium.

Conclusion:

Thus, the percentage of hydrogen is 35percent of total mass in the core today.

(c)

To determine

The percentage of hydrogen in the core originally.

(c)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 39QAP

The percentage of hydrogen will zero percent of total mass in the core after 5billion years from now.

Explanation of Solution

Sun is middle-aged, main sequence star of G2 spectral type. The surface temperature of the Sun is 5800 K. It continuously produces energy with the help of nuclear fusion occurring in its core that is transferred from its core to outer surface.

The sun had even mass composition of helium and hydrogen throughout its core and surface when it was formed. Helium was 30percent and hydrogen was 70percent at the time of formation of the Sun.

However, continuous fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium decreases the amount of hydrogen in the core. Today, only 35percent of total mass is hydrogen and 65percent of total mass is helium.

The lifetime of Sun is 10billion years; out of which it has spent already 5billion years. The continuous fusion will result into zero percent of hydrogen in the core after 5billion years form now.

Conclusion:

Thus, the percentage of hydrogen will zero percent of total mass in the core after 5billion years from now.

(d)

To determine

The percentage of hydrogen in the entire Sun originally.

(d)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 39QAP

The percentage of hydrogen was 70percent of total mass in the entire Sun originally.

Explanation of Solution

Sun is middle-aged, main sequence star of G2 spectral type. The surface temperature of the Sun is 5800 K. It continuously produces energy with the help of nuclear fusion occurring in its core that is transferred from its core to outer surface.

The sun had even mass composition of helium and hydrogen throughout its core and surface when it was formed. Helium was 30percent and hydrogen was 70percent at the time of formation of the Sun.

Conclusion:

Thus, the percentage of hydrogen was 70percent of total mass in the entire Sun originally.

(e)

To determine

The percentage of hydrogen in the core today.

(e)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 39QAP

The percentage of hydrogen is 66percent of total mass in the entire Sun today.

Explanation of Solution

Sun is middle-aged, main sequence star of G2 spectral type. The surface temperature of the Sun is 5800 K. It continuously produces energy with the help of nuclear fusion occurring in its core that is transferred from its core to outer surface.

The sun had even mass composition of helium and hydrogen throughout its core and surface when it was formed. Helium was 30percent and hydrogen was 70percent at the time of formation of the Sun.

However, continuous fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium decreases the amount of hydrogen in the core. Today, only 35percent of total mass is hydrogen and 65percent of total mass is helium.

The core of the Sun extends up to 0.2 times the size of the Sun; composition of the Sun in remaining surface is still the same; it means the ratio of hydrogen and helium amount in outer 80percent has not changed and only inner 20percent is changed.

From figure, it is observed that 66percent is hydrogen and 34percent is helium of total mass in the entire Sun.

Conclusion:

Thus, the percentage of hydrogen is 66percent of total mass in the entire Sun today.

(f)

To determine

The percentage of hydrogen in the core originally.

(f)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 39QAP

The percentage of hydrogen is 62percent of total mass in the entire Sun today.

Explanation of Solution

Sun is middle-aged, main sequence star of G2 spectral type. The surface temperature of the Sun is 5800 K. It continuously produces energy with the help of nuclear fusion occurring in its core that is transferred from its core to outer surface.

The sun had even mass composition of helium and hydrogen throughout its core and surface when it was formed. Helium was 30percent and hydrogen was 70percent at the time of formation of the Sun.

However, continuous fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium decreases the amount of hydrogen in the core. Today, only 35percent of total mass is hydrogen and 65percent of total mass is helium.

The lifetime of Sun is 10billion years; out of which it has spent already 5billion years. The continuous fusion will result into zero percent of hydrogen in the core after 5billion years form now.

The core of the Sun extends up to 0.2 times the size of the Sun; composition of the Sun in remaining surface is still the same; it means the ratio of hydrogen and helium amount in outer 80percent has not changed and only inner 20percent is changed.

From figure, it is observed that 62percent is hydrogen and 38percent is helium of total mass in the entire Sun.

Conclusion:

Thus, the percentage of hydrogen is 62percent of total mass in the entire Sun today.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Which of the following statements about various stages of core nuclear burning (hydrogen, helium, carbon, etc.) in a high- mass star is not true? A. As each stage ends, the core shrinks and heats further. B. Each successive stage creates an element with a higher atomic number and atomic mass number. C. As each stage ends, the reactions that occurred in previous stages continue in shells around the core. D.Each successive stage lasts for approximately the same amount of time.
How can we know that the sun will “die” in about 5 billion years? Choose the correct answer. A. We can see the evolution and death in the spectra B. We can see the entire process as it plays out in a star C. We look at thousands of stars like the sun and can see them in all stages of development
Status of Sun's core and its temperature (The letters correspond to the stages in Figure 21.1.) 3. Stage A: T10 million K. Sun is in equilibrium. 4. Stage B: T 100 million K Core collapse stops. 5. Stage C: Helium flash 6. Stage D: T 100 million K. Sun is in equilibrium. 7. Stage E: T800 million K. Core collapse stops. If fusion is occurring in core or in shell around the core, mark with a ✔in the correct column. Core fusion H to He FUSION ✓ Core fusion He to C Shell fusion H to He Shell fusion He to C PRESSURE VERSUS GRAVITY CORE • REST OF THE STAR Pressure comes from electron degeneracy Pressure Gravity Gravity Pressure region contracts and heats Pressure > Gravity region expands and cools
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Physics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
The Solar System
Physics
ISBN:9781337672252
Author:The Solar System
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399920
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Stars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399944
Author:Michael A. Seeds
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:9781938168284
Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
An Introduction to Physical Science
Physics
ISBN:9781305079137
Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar Torres
Publisher:Cengage Learning