Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
14th Edition
ISBN: 9781337399920
Author: Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Chapter 12, Problem 2P
To determine
The fraction of the luminosity of the sun’s radius that is the hydrogen-fusion core and the model.
The denser between the Sun’s center and the layer
The ratio of the temperature between the center of the sun and the surface of the sun.
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a) At solar maximum sunspots might cover up to 0.4% of the total area of the Sun. If the sunspots have a temperature of 3800 K and the surrounding photosphere has a temperature of 6000 K, calculate the fractional change (as a percentage) in the luminosity due to the presence of the sunspots.
b) A star of the same stellar class as the Sun is observed regularly over many years, and a time series of its bolometric apparent magnitude is collected. What would be the signal in this time series which indicated that the star had a magnetic dynamo similar to the Sun? Briefly describe two or three possible sources of other signals which could confuse the interpretation of the data.
Assuming that (1) the solar luminosity has been constant since the Sun formed, and (2) the Sun was initially of uniform composition throughout, as described by Table 9.2, estimate how long it would take the Sun to convert all of its original hydrogen into helium. [Hint: Calculate the mass of hydrogen in the sun and then divide it by the rate of hydrogen fusion (PPT slide 47.)]
The Sun’s luminosity (or power) is 4 x 1026 Watts (=J/s). How many kilograms of hydrogen must be fused every second to maintain this luminosity? (hint: work backwards from the energy per second to the mass released to the amount of hydrogen required, using the results from the previous question.)
The Sun’s mass is ~2x1030 kg. If 10% of this is Hydrogen available in the core, how long will the Sun be able to continue fusing hydrogen at this rate? This is considered the Sun's "lifetime". If the Sun is 4.6 billion years old (and assuming it's power output is constant), how many years does it have left?
Chapter 12 Solutions
Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
Ch. 12 - Prob. 1RQCh. 12 - Prob. 2RQCh. 12 - Prob. 3RQCh. 12 - Prob. 4RQCh. 12 - Prob. 5RQCh. 12 - Describe the law of hydrostatic equilibrium.Ch. 12 - Prob. 7RQCh. 12 - Prob. 8RQCh. 12 - Prob. 9RQCh. 12 - Prob. 10RQ
Ch. 12 - Prob. 11RQCh. 12 - Prob. 12RQCh. 12 - Prob. 13RQCh. 12 - Prob. 14RQCh. 12 - Prob. 15RQCh. 12 - Prob. 16RQCh. 12 - Prob. 17RQCh. 12 - Prob. 18RQCh. 12 - Prob. 19RQCh. 12 - What gives the triple-alpha process its name? Why...Ch. 12 - Prob. 21RQCh. 12 - Prob. 22RQCh. 12 - Prob. 23RQCh. 12 - Prob. 24RQCh. 12 - Prob. 25RQCh. 12 - Prob. 26RQCh. 12 - Prob. 27RQCh. 12 - Prob. 28RQCh. 12 - Prob. 29RQCh. 12 - Prob. 30RQCh. 12 - Prob. 31RQCh. 12 - How Do We Know? How can mathematical models allow...Ch. 12 - Prob. 1PCh. 12 - Prob. 2PCh. 12 - Prob. 3PCh. 12 - Prob. 4PCh. 12 - Prob. 5PCh. 12 - Prob. 6PCh. 12 - Prob. 7PCh. 12 - Prob. 8PCh. 12 - Prob. 9PCh. 12 - Prob. 10PCh. 12 - Prob. 11PCh. 12 - Prob. 12PCh. 12 - Prob. 13PCh. 12 - Prob. 14PCh. 12 - Prob. 15PCh. 12 - Prob. 16PCh. 12 - Prob. 1SOPCh. 12 - Prob. 2SOPCh. 12 - Prob. 1LTLCh. 12 - Prob. 2LTLCh. 12 - Prob. 3LTLCh. 12 - Prob. 4LTLCh. 12 - Prob. 5LTL
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