Source of Sun's Energy

Most recent answer: 01/22/2016

Q:
I've heard that sun is the ultimate source of energy , but for the sun to radiate energy we need the helium and hydrogen to burn which is chemical energy.Then why is chemical energy not considered theultimate source of energy?
- Satyanarayana prakash (age 22)
banglore,karnataka,India
A:

The "burning" in the Sun is actually nuclear fusion reactions, not chemical reactions. So our free energy mostly comes from nuclear energy in the Sun. Some geothermal energy is driven by nuclear reactions in the core of the Earth.

Mike W.

posted without vetting until Lee gets back


(published on 01/22/2016)