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striecx
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Is Quantum Tunneling necessary to explain why The Sun keeps shining , due to it not being hot enough to provide the necessary energy for protons to collide?
The classical explanation for how the Sun keeps shining is through nuclear fusion. This process involves the fusion of hydrogen atoms to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of heat and light.
Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two or more atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. In the Sun, hydrogen atoms fuse together to form helium, releasing energy in the process. This energy is what powers the Sun and keeps it shining.
The Sun has been shining for about 4.6 billion years and is estimated to continue shining for another 5 billion years. After that, it will exhaust its hydrogen fuel and will eventually die out.
If the Sun were to stop shining, it would have catastrophic consequences for life on Earth. The lack of warmth and light would cause temperatures to drop drastically and plants would not be able to photosynthesize, leading to widespread famine and extinction of many species.
Yes, there are other factors that contribute to the Sun's shining, such as its massive size and gravitational pull. The immense pressure and temperature at the core of the Sun also play a role in sustaining the nuclear fusion reactions.