What is the relationship between proton energy and temperature in the Sun?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between proton energy and temperature in the Sun, specifically examining the appropriate equations to use for calculating energy based on temperature. Participants explore the implications of temperature on the energy of protons in a stellar context.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of different equations for calculating proton energy, questioning the relevance of degrees of freedom and the nature of the Sun as a gas versus a solid. There is also a mention of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution in relation to energy distribution among protons.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the nature of the Sun and its state as plasma. Some participants express confusion about the definitions and properties of matter in the context of the Sun, indicating a productive exploration of concepts without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the application of kinetic energy formulas and the state of matter in the Sun, with participants questioning assumptions about solid versus gaseous states at high temperatures.

rjs523
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Hi

I'm trying to calculate the energy of a proton in the sun. I know the temperature so I thought to use the equation E=3/2kT but in my textbook it says that I should only use E=kT. I don't understand why this is because surely each proton has 3 degrees of freedom?

Thanks
 
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I thought it was the formula to calculate the kinetic energy of a gas..??
 
edo1493 said:
I thought it was the formula to calculate the kinetic energy of a gas..??

It is... The sun is a gas.
 
I thought it was an hot ball, formed by matter and gas.
 
edo1493 said:
I thought it was an hot ball, formed by matter and gas.

Can you elaborate on the "matter that is not a gas" in the Sun?
 
I thought that there was something solid, but this is a completely misunderstanding, cause the high temperature nothing could be in the solid form. .-. ?
 
Right. Sun is a ball of plasma. Plasma - in many aspects - is similar to gas. No solids nor liquids there.
 
Ok, thank you.
 

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