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maximus
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exactly how gravity in a star can generate temperatures high enough for thermonuclear reactions? i need a straight answer this time.
Originally posted by Integral
If the mass is great enough the force of gravity is sufficient to over come the electronic forces which sperate atoms. When this happens the nucleons are crushed close enough together to allow nuclear reactions to occur.
Originally posted by maximus
exactly how gravity in a star can generate temperatures high enough for thermonuclear reactions? i need a straight answer this time.
Originally posted by chroot
The gravitational potential energy is transferred into translational kinetic energy of the falling particles. Another name for 'translational kinetic energy' of microscopic particles is 'heat.'
If you drop a bowling ball, it gains kinetic energy as it falls. As the hydrogen atoms fall in towards a protostar, they also gain kinetic energy.
- Warren
Originally posted by Alexander
Exactly. It is not pressure, but change of position (protons come closer) in mutual attraction force (gravity) which makes protons move faster. Make Earth and ball come closer, and both will move faster (=gain "temperature").
Originally posted by Alexander
Well, what we call pressure is just a change of momentum of moving particles in collisions with each other, with walls of a container (if any) and with the device measuring pressure (pressure gauge, barometer, etc). What we call temperature is average kinetic energy per particle. So, still these are different (though closely related as momentum and energy are closely related) concepts.
That is how you can use 1/r-1/2 as the calculator for the Earths increasing internal gravitational ability, with respect to it's pressurization, and it thermal energy output(s).
Originally posted by FZ+
Actually, Mr. Parsons, there is an error in your maths.
1/r-0.5 == (r-0.5)-1
== r0.5, which is the square root of r.
Originally stated at the Cal Tech site
The possibility that electromagnetic zero-point energy may be involved in the production of inertial and gravitational forces opens the possibility that both inertia and gravitation might someday be controlled and manipulated. This could have a profound impact on propulsion and space travel.
Thermonuclear reactions are nuclear reactions that occur at extremely high temperatures, typically millions of degrees. These reactions involve the fusion of atomic nuclei, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. In the case of gravity generating heat, the intense gravitational force compresses the atoms, causing them to collide and fuse, releasing heat energy.
Gravity is a fundamental force that attracts objects towards each other. In the case of stars, the immense gravitational force causes the atoms in the core to be tightly compressed, creating high temperatures and pressures. This allows for thermonuclear reactions to occur, generating heat and sustaining the star's energy output.
Main sequence stars, which are the majority of stars in the universe, undergo thermonuclear reactions. This includes stars like our sun, which fuse hydrogen atoms to form helium and produce heat and light. As stars evolve, they may also undergo other types of thermonuclear reactions, such as the fusion of heavier elements in their cores.
In stars, the intense gravitational force balances out the energy released from thermonuclear reactions. This creates a state of equilibrium where the inward pull of gravity is counteracted by the outward pressure from the energy released by the thermonuclear reactions. This balance allows stars to maintain their stable size and temperature for long periods.
While scientists are able to create thermonuclear reactions in laboratory settings, it is not feasible to recreate the extreme conditions necessary for these reactions to occur naturally on Earth. The intense temperatures and pressures required are only found in the core of stars, making it impossible to replicate on our planet.