Solar Energy: originated form the core
Solar energy is “made” in the core
◦ T = 15.6 million degrees Celsius (156,000 times boiling water)
◦ P = 250 million atmospheres (250 million times the pressure at Earth’s surface)
It is a product of nuclear fusion
The energy travels through the sun’s layers, solar system, and eventually reaches Earth
Nuclear Fusion
A special chemical reaction
Simply, when two atomic nuclei are joined to form a larger nucleus,
Energy is given off or absorbed
Hydrogen is fused to form Helium in the sun