Energy Transfers and the Sun

Discussion in 'Physics & Math' started by Arachnakid, Oct 25, 2010.

  1. Arachnakid Linguist-In-Training Registered Senior Member

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    This is a question which has bothered me for some time, more so because researching online did not find a definite answer...I know that energy can move from one particle to another when those particles "bump into" each other, but how does energy reach our planet from the sun across space where particles are few and far between? Is energy only contained in particles or does it move independently?
     
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  3. AlphaNumeric Fully ionized Registered Senior Member

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    The Sun emits huge quantities of photons, which travel through space and enter our atmosphere and get absorbed by things like plants, the seas and anyone sun bathing. Without an atmosphere to spread the heat about objects in space or on the Moon can go from temperatures like -100C in the shade to +100C in direct sunlight.

    The Sun also emits lots (but not quite as many as photons) of protons and electrons in the form of solar wind and coronal mass ejections but this is not a main means of energy transfer from the Sun to Earth, though they can form electromagnetic 'storms' strong enough to knock out power grids.
     
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  5. John Connellan Valued Senior Member

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    You are probably talking about the type of energy described as heat energy and the transfer of conduction. If this is the case, the answer is that energy transfer does not need particles with mass. For example, heat energy can be transferred by radiation which does not need these particles and can travel through empty space.
     
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