Question

Describe the Sun’s interior. Include references to the main physical processes that occur at various depths within the sun.

Answer 1

The sun is the large astronomical body that is located at the center of the solar system. The interior structure of the sun are as follows-

• Core- It represents the extreme interior portion of the sun. This is the hottest region of the sun and there occurs the process of constant nuclear fusion reactions that fuel the sun and helps in burning. Here the nucleus of two hydrogen atoms is fused together to form a heavy nucleus of a helium atom. It has a thickness of about 500 km.

• Radiative zone- This is the layer that surrounds the core of the sun. From this layer, the energy is radiated outward where the protons carry these energies in the form of thermal radiation. Here, the process of radiation takes place.

• Convective zone- This is the outer layer of the sun's interior. It is about 200,000 km thick, and in this layer, the energy constantly flows, allowing the heat to move upward by undergoing the process of convection.