Sage-Tips

What is the gravitational potential energy of a star?

Using this, the real gravitational binding energy of Earth can be calculated numerically as U = 2.49×1032 J. According to the virial theorem, the gravitational binding energy of a star is about two times its internal thermal energy in order for hydrostatic equilibrium to be maintained.

How much energy is released when a star collapses?

Through a process that is not clearly understood, about 1\%, or 1044 joules (1 foe), of the energy released (in the form of neutrinos) is reabsorbed by the stalled shock, producing the supernova explosion.

What is the minimum gravitational potential energy?

Gravitational potential energy depends upon height (PE=m*g*h). The PE is a minimum when the height is a minimum. Position B is the lowest position in the diagram.

How do you calculate the gravitational potential energy of a star?

Since the force required to lift it is equal to its weight, it follows that the gravitational potential energy is equal to its weight times the height to which it is lifted. PE = kg x 9.8 m/s2 x m = joules.

What is the energy of a star?

The energy source for all stars is nuclear fusion. Stars are made mostly of hydrogen and helium, which are packed so densely in a star that in the star’s center the pressure is great enough to initiate nuclear fusion reactions.

Why does a star violently explode?

The reason for this is that the explosion is caused by a gravitational rebound effect and not by a chemical reaction, as explained by NASA. It is true that within most stars there are violent hydrogen fusion reactions churning away, but these do not cause the supernova.

How much energy is released in a Hypernova?

How much energy does a hypernova explosion release? A hypernova explosion typically has a mechanical energy output of ~ 10^53 ergs, or about a factor of 100 greater than a supernova.

What is gravitational potential energy?

What Is Gravitational Potential Energy. Potential Energy is the stored energy of an object given its position relative to a body. Gravitational potential energy is one type of potential energy and is equal to the product of the object’s mass (m), the acceleration caused by gravity (g), and the object’s height…

What is the gravitational energy of a star in hydrostatic equilibrium?

Our final result: gravitational energy of a star in a hydrostatic equilibrium is equal to three times the integral of pressure within the star over its entire volume. eql — 1. Now, we shall use a relation between pressure and energy density in two limits.

How can we get the gravitational potential energy of sunshine?

We can get the gravitational potential energy of a uniform sphere What does this have to do with sunshine? Notice that as R gets smaller, U gets more negative — energy is being converted to other forms, like heat. If the Sun can radiate this heat into space, then gravitational contraction might produce the luminosity of the sun.

What is the gravitational potential at the center of the sphere?

Case 4: Gravitational potential at the centre of the solid sphere is given by V =(-3/2) × (GM/R). Gravitational Self Energy The gravitational self-energy of a body is defined as the work done by an external agent in assembling the body from the infinitesimal elements that are initially at an infinite distance apart.