Facts about the Sun

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This diagram introduces the Sun, the star at the centre of our solar system. It lists some useful facts that help explain why it is so important in our lives.


Remember that:

  • The sun is unlike anything else in our experience. Its age, size, temperature are all on a scale apart from life on planet Earth.
  • It explodes with the force of a billion one-megaton nuclear bombs every single second of every single day.
  • Without the energy produced by the sun, life as we know it would not be possible.

Description

Facts about the Sun

START OFF WITH THESE QUICK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

About the diagram

About the diagram
  • This diagram introduces the Sun, the star at the centre of our solar system. It lists some useful facts that help explain why it is so important in our lives.
Remember that:
  • The sun is unlike anything else in our experience. Its age, size, and temperature are all on a scale apart from our own lives on planet Earth.
  • It explodes with the force of a billion one-megaton nuclear bombs every single second of every single day.
  • Without the energy produced by the sun, life as we know it would not be possible.

Some key terms

Sunlight is light emitted by the Sun and is also called daylight or visible light.

Solar radiation is the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.

  • Electromagnetic radiation is a type of energy that is commonly known as light. Detached from its source, it is transported by electromagnetic waves (or by their quanta, particles called photons) and propagates through space.
  • Electromagnetic radiation includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, (visible) light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
  • Electromagnetic radiation is sometimes called EM radiation or electromagnetic radiant energy (EMR).
  • All forms of electromagnetic radiation can be described in terms of both waves or particles.
  • All forms of electromagnetic radiation travel at 299,792 kilometres per second in a vacuum.

Thermonuclear fusion involves atoms fusing together. Thermonuclear fusion requires immense pressure and heat.

  • There are two forms of thermonuclear fusion:
    • Uncontrolled fusion, in which the resulting energy is released in an uncontrolled way, as it is in thermonuclear weapons (“hydrogen bombs”) and in most stars.
    • Controlled fusion, where the reaction takes place in an environment allowing some or all of the energy released to be harnessed for constructive purposes.

Electromagnetic radiation refers to the transfer of all forms of radiation through space by electromagnetic waves.

  • Electromagnetic radiation includes gamma rays, ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), X-rays, and radio waves, as well as visible light.
  • Detached from its source, electromagnetic radiation (EM radiation), is transported by electromagnetic waves (or their quanta, photons) and propagates through empty space at the speed of light.
  • Man-made technologies that produce electromagnetic radiation include radio and TV transmitters, radar, MRI scanners, microwave ovens, computer screens, mobile phones, all types of lights and lamps, electric blankets, electric bar heaters, lasers and x-ray machines.

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