How does the sun burn without oxygen?

In summary, while fire on Earth requires oxygen, the sun continues to "burn" through the process of nuclear fusion, where hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium and produce intense heat and pressure. Oxygen is also produced in this process and can be considered a reactant in the "burning" of stars, but only in extremely massive stars with temperatures over a billion degrees.
  • #1
Anna Blanksch
Gold Member
15
0
On Earth, fire needs oxygen. If space has no oxygen, how does the sun continue to burn? Thanks! :) Ω
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
All stars burn due to nuclear fusion. Intense pressure creates intense heat. This heat and pressure drives the reaction.
 
  • #3
Used here, the word "burn" is colloquial, not scientific.
 
  • #4
The cool thing is that the sun doesn't really "burn" like fire does!

You're right that fires require oxygen as a reactant, but the sun runs on nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion is the joining of atomic nuclei together and it's possible because of the high temperature and pressure in the sun's core. In the core, hydrogen nuclei fuse with other hydrogen nuclei to form helium (and this can happen with heavier and heavier nuclei with even more pressure and temperature) and photons, basically.
 
  • #5
Additionally, one of the products of stellar fusion processes is oxygen, which is then used as an intermediate(catalyst) in further production of helium nuclei(wiki: the CNO cycle).
So if one is so inclined as to call fusion "burning", then we have to admit that oxygen IS used in at least some "burning" in stars.
 
  • #6
Only extremely massive stars can fuse oxygen. It requires a core temperature over a billion degrees. A star this massive is called a type II supernova progenitor.
 

FAQ: How does the sun burn without oxygen?

1. How does the sun produce energy without oxygen?

The sun produces energy through a process called nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy, which is what we perceive as the sun's heat and light. Unlike combustion, which requires oxygen, nuclear fusion does not depend on the presence of oxygen.

2. If the sun doesn't need oxygen to burn, why is it still considered a "burning" star?

The term "burning" is often used colloquially to describe the sun's energy production. In reality, the sun is not actually burning like a fire on Earth. The process of nuclear fusion is very different from combustion and does not require oxygen.

3. Can other stars burn without oxygen too?

Yes, other stars also produce energy through nuclear fusion and do not require oxygen to do so. In fact, the majority of stars in the universe are powered by nuclear fusion.

4. Is there any oxygen on the sun at all?

Oxygen is present on the sun, but it is not a significant factor in the sun's energy production. The sun's atmosphere does contain a small amount of oxygen, but it is not involved in the nuclear fusion process.

5. How long will the sun continue to "burn" without oxygen?

The sun has been burning for about 4.6 billion years and is expected to continue burning for another 5 billion years or so. However, it is important to note that the sun is not technically burning, but rather undergoing a process of nuclear fusion. Once the hydrogen fuel in its core is depleted, the sun will begin to expand and eventually become a red giant, marking the end of its "burning" phase.

Back
Top