 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The sun is the closest star to earth and is the primary source of all energy ever harvested on the planet. All forms of energy; from coal to oil and even wind comes directly from the sun. This amazing star has been energizing earth ever since the beginning of time, about 4.3 billion years ago. The inner workings of the sun are amazing both in their simplicity and complexity; the beauty of the earth is created from a raging inferno only four light-minutes from earth.
|
|
|
|
The composition of the sun is a simple mix of mostly hydrogen (71%) and helium (27%). The remaining 2% of the sun is made of heavy elements concentrated in the core of the star. The resulting stellar fuel has a density that is 150 times that of water (A density of 150).
|
|
|
|
The large amount of hydrogen on the sun allows fusion to take place deep within the suns core. The incredibly large size of the sun creates so much gravity that in the core of the sun; two hydrogen atoms are fused together into one helium atom. This reaction releases the same amount of energy as 100 Billion 1-megaton nuclear explosions each second. This immense amount of energy radiates to the surface of the sun. On the sun's surface, pools of gas are heated and mix together with convection currents, creating a molten appearance. The energy released from the surface of the sun radiates in all directions. Only a tiny amount of the energy radiated strikes the earth, supplying energy to the whole planet. This amazingly constant fusion reaction is so constant that it only varies a fraction of a percent every few days.
|
|
|
|
 Lonnie Legg from Germany contributed:
Hello
Would you like to see your Web work showcased in the international youth
magazine "Spot on"*?
I found your "Energy Planet" web site through a link from thinkquest.org.
Each month, in our "Projects online" column, a young person presents
his/her web project in his/her own words. I have a free slot in the
coming issue.
Interested? Then e-mail me ASAP at l.legg@spotlight-verlag.com
(NOT at the above address!).
I'll send you details on what I need for the presentation.
Best regards,
Lonnie Legg
Editor / Spot on
*"Spot on" is a monthly English-language magazine based in Munich,
Germany. Our readers are 12 to 16-year-old Germans, Austrians and Swiss
interested in improving their English. (To find out more about "Spot
on", go to www.spoton.de.) In our "Web World" column, we regularly
feature web projects by and for teenagers.
Tel: +49 (89) 85 68 13 12
Fax: +49 (89) 85 68 13 20
Spotlight Verlag
Redaktion "SPOT ON"
Fraunhoferstr. 22
D-82152, Planegg, Germany
http://www.spoton.de
|
|
|
|
Randolph H. Levine, "Sun"
Encarta Encyclopedia, 1997
"Sun"
World Book Encyclopedia, 1970
Bibliography
|
|
|
|
|
|
