How Does Sun Produces Energy

Visit this site for interesting facts and information about How Does Sun Produces Energy. Learn about How Does Sun Produces Energy. Description together with definition of How Does Sun Produces Energy.

How Does Sun Produces Energy

The sun acts as an ultimate source either directly or indirectly for all kinds of energy on earth. For example, Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas are transformed from plants and animals which are once lived on earth. They grew by capturing the sun’s energy.

The main function of the sun is to warm up the planet and drives the hydrological cycle. Energy from the sun makes the life possible on Earth. There are four factors which decide the amount of sun’s energy on earth’s surface. They are reflectivity of the surface, the angle of the sun, the output of the sun and cyclic variations of the earth’s orbit around the sun.

Sun emits 3.89 X 10 26 watts of energy which is such a large amount of energy. But most of the energy goes into space. Only 1.74 X 10 17 watts strikes the earth.

Sun Life Span

Sun has a limited life span. When the sun is about 12 billion years, the orbital distance of the earth will increase to 150% of its current value. It will burn out all the hydrogen, bloat up as a red giant and consume Mercury and Venus. This condition is very disastrous for flora and fauna and totally life on the surface of the earth will be gone.

Units for Sun Energy

Solar energy can be measured in kilowatt-hour. 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts.