Why Don't Heavier Elements Sink to the Sun's Core?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of heavier elements in the Sun, specifically why they do not sink to the core. It is established that the Sun is not static; instead, it experiences significant upwelling and mixing due to the active fusion processes occurring at its center. The consensus is that if heavier elements were present, they would not remain at the core because the Sun lacks the energy to fuse elements heavier than hydrogen, preventing them from accumulating there.

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  • Understanding of stellar fusion processes
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  • Familiarity with spectrum analysis techniques
  • Basic principles of astrophysics
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Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of stellar dynamics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the composition and behavior of the Sun and other stars.

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This website gives a break down of the ten most abundant elements from spectrum analysis of the sun

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/961112a.html"

Presumably this result is only valid for the surface/near surface of the sun.

If there were any heavier elements present wouldn't they have a tendency to sink to the core and therefore be undetectable?
 
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link is broken

sun is not static
there is a lot of upwelling and mixing
and the center is the most active area
as that is where the fusion is happening
so no stuff willnot just sink and stay in the center
 
ray b said:
link is broken

sun is not static
there is a lot of upwelling and mixing
and the center is the most active area
as that is where the fusion is happening
so no stuff willnot just sink and stay in the center

sorry about the link - I've just edited it and it's ok now.

There wouldn't be any fusion going on in the centre if the centre consisted of elements any heavier than hydrogen. Apparently, our sun doesn't have enough energy to fuse anything heavier than hydrogen.
 

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