Purchase Solution

Estimate of Lifetime of Sun from Power Output

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Assuming that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is approximately 1.5E11 m, the mass of the sun is 1E31 g, and that the energy fluence imparted on the Earth from the sun is 1.4E3 W m-2, how long do we have before the sun runs out of fuel?

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

In this solution, we estimate how long the sun will shine based on the given data on the sun's mass and distance from the earth, as well as the intensity of sunlight on earth.

Solution Preview

The total energy of the sun is E = Mc^2, where M = 10^28 kg is its total mass. (Actually, the mass of the sun is much greater than this - the actual figure is 2*10^30 kg. I believe the figure quoted is the difference in mass ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
The Moon

Test your knowledge of moon phases and movement.

Variables in Science Experiments

How well do you understand variables? Test your knowledge of independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled variables with this 10 question quiz.

Introduction to Nanotechnology/Nanomaterials

This quiz is for any area of science. Test yourself to see what knowledge of nanotechnology you have. This content will also make you familiar with basic concepts of nanotechnology.

Intro to the Physics Waves

Some short-answer questions involving the basic vocabulary of string, sound, and water waves.

Classical Mechanics

This quiz is designed to test and improve your knowledge on Classical Mechanics.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Estimate of power output of crystalline Si Boule photovoltaic

    619697 Estimate of power output of crystalline Si Boule photovoltaic You have a 150 mm diameter boule of Si that is 1 meter long.

  • Physics - Stefan-Boltzman Law

    Its surface temperature is 2800K (assume this is 1/2 of that of our Sun). Assuming Betelgeuse is a perfect emitter (e=1.0) what is its power output? What is the ratio of this power output to the power output of our Sun?

  • How long would solar power last on Earth

    It is believed that the lifetime of the sun is 10 billion years and the sun is nearly four and half billion years old. The sun will continue to shine for nearly 5 billion years.

  • Power Output

    7658 Power Output Approximately 4X10^9kg of matter is converted into energy each second in the sun. Find the power output of the sun. Using E = m * c^2 we find that 1 kg of matter has 9 * 10^16 J of energy.

  • Confidence Interval for z and t test

    You need this problem sheet, answers, and the Excel output tables to take Webtest 3. You can use textbook, course slides as well.Webtest 3 will be open from Sat. 11/23 through Sun 11/24via Hawkes Learning System.

  • Animal Testing and Estimation Calculations

    So the estimate of 60 times from the earth to the sun and back seems to be (for a total of 120 one-way trips) high by a factor of 6 or so.

  • Calculating gravitation for Halley's Comet

    We know that the square of the period T of any object revolving around the sun is proportional to the major semi-axis of the orbit to the third power: T^2= øa^3 where ø = 4 π^2/GM = const.

  • Confidence interval and t test for mean life time

    GE fluorescent bulbs have a useful lifetime which is normally distributed. We wish to estimate mean lifetime. A random sample of 20 bulbs yields the following results: sample mean= 2,360 hours and a sample standard deviation of 365 hours.

  • 7 Physics Problems

    Describe the fate of the sun. 7. Cell phones operate in a frequency band around 850 MHz, output about 600 mW of transmitted power, and have a battery containing about 9720 J of energy. a.

View More Related Solutions