Name: Guy
Status: other
Grade: other
Location: NV
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
Hello! I watched a documentary recently and they
mentioned that the sun is decreasing by 5 feet daily, and has been
for as long as we have had the knowledge to study the sun. Is this
true? Is it really decreasing by 5 feet DAILY and has been for all
of its existence (or for as long as we have been able to study it)?
Replies:
Guy,
The Sun is so bright because fusion is occurring in its
center. Fusion is the process where two forms of a hydrogen atom
(the smallest atom) combine to make a helium atom (the next smallest
atom). It would take a very long explanation to describe everything
that is going on, but basically, when fusion occurs and you generate
a lot of helium at the center of the Sun, the core shrinks. This
shrinkage eventually gets to the surface. There will also come a
point where the hydrogen in the Sun will run out and fusion stops
for a second (or probably much less). When this occurs, the Sun
will collapse under its own weight until enough pressure is put on
the new Helium core to force the Helium to start the fusion
process. When this happens, the collapse will send a shock wave out
through the Sun and the Sun will expand just past where the Earth is
now! That will be a warm day indeed.
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