Question

The solar energy problem was eventually solved when it was realized that the Sun contains huge amounts of H, and that H could “burn” to form He (essentially 4 protons transforming into one He nucleus), with an energy release of 0.007Mc^2. Calculate how long you could power the Sun with this energy source, compare with the “known” age of the Sun... and comment on any interesting number you get. The mass of a proton is 1.7x10e-27 kg.

Answer 1