I heard that if you took a peice of the sun the size of a pinpoint

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of hydrogen fusion creating a blast with a 90 mile radius and whether it is possible for a small amount of hydrogen to have that much energy. The speaker also mentions the sun's process of fusion and its temperature and density compared to that of a pinpoint of hydrogen. The conversation concludes with doubts about the accuracy of the initial statement.
  • #1
Qaiphyx
92
0
that it would burn everying in a 90 mile radius, or something like that, is this correct? Would this be the same as if the equivelant amount of hydrogen atoms fused all at once together?
 
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  • #2
It doesn't sound right, where did you hear this?

You could have quite a bit of hydrogen in the size of a pin point if you compressed and cooled it, but I still don't think you would have enough to create a blast with a 90 mile radius on earth.
 
  • #3
Qaiphyx said:
that it would burn everying in a 90 mile radius, or something like that, is this correct? Would this be the same as if the equivelant amount of hydrogen atoms fused all at once together?
That doesn't sound right.

One can do a simple calculation based on a hydrogen plasma with the density of water, about 1 g/cm3, which is a little less than the average density. Multiply the density by the volume of a pin point to get the mass, and figure some appropriate temperature.

The sun is based on the pp-chain, and p-p fusion is very slow, say compared to d-d fusion, and that's why the sun has been around for a long time.

Bear in mind that the core of the sun is on the order of 15 million K, and its density if about 150 times that of water. In contrast, the photosphere has a temperature of about 5800 K and a density on the order of 1E-7 of water (at room temp).
 
  • #4
I believe this figure results if you assume that the pinpoint (I suppose the head of a pin was meant) will magically stay at 15 million K, even when radiating such an enormous amount of energy.
 

1. What would happen if you took a piece of the sun the size of a pinpoint?

If you were able to extract a piece of the sun the size of a pinpoint, it would immediately vaporize due to the intense heat and pressure of the sun's core. It is not possible to physically take a piece of the sun due to its extreme conditions.

2. Can a piece of the sun be safely transported to Earth?

No, it is not possible to safely transport a piece of the sun to Earth. The extreme conditions of the sun, including its intense heat, radiation, and gravitational pull, make it impossible for any object to survive the journey.

3. What would the weight of a pinpoint-sized piece of the sun be?

The weight of a pinpoint-sized piece of the sun would be extremely heavy, as the sun's mass is approximately 333,000 times that of Earth. However, the intense heat and pressure would immediately vaporize the piece, making it difficult to accurately measure its weight.

4. How hot is the sun's core?

The sun's core is incredibly hot, with temperatures reaching up to 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme heat is generated by the fusion of hydrogen atoms, which releases massive amounts of energy.

5. Is it possible to create a miniature sun on Earth?

Currently, it is not possible to create a miniature sun on Earth. The extreme conditions and advanced technology required to sustain a fusion reaction like the sun's are not yet achievable. However, scientists continue to research and develop methods for harnessing fusion energy as a potential source of sustainable energy in the future.

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