Lecture 12: As Long as the Sun Shines
How long can the Sun continue to shine, and what source of energy\ndoes it tap to keep shining? This lecture answers this question by\nintroducing two important energy sources for stars: Gravitational\nContraction otherwise known as the Kelvin-Helmholz Mechanism, and\nNuclear Fusion. We will show that fusion of 4 Hydrogen nuclei into\na Helium nucleus via the proton-proton chain liberates enough energy\nto provide for the Sun's Luminosity needs for about 10 Billion Years.\nRecorded 2006 January 19 in 1008 Evans Laboratory on the Columbus campus\nof The Ohio State University. Note: the recording mistakenly says\nJanuary 18th. Oops.