Question

The sun radiates about 3.6 x 1026 joules of energy each second. How much mass does the sun lose each second? Show your work.

Answer 1

This is kind of a weird question but I am assuming they want you to play with the units of joules.

\[J=\frac{Kg* m^2 }{s}\]

Answer 2

\[Kg=\frac{J*s}{m^2}\]

where m^2 is the surface area of the sun

Answer 3

I thought it was the Einstein formula? E=MC^2

Answer 4

@zbay

Answer 5

Start here:\[E=mc ^{2}\]where m is mass; c is the speed of light; and E is the energy. It's Einstein's statement of energy-mass equivalency. The Sun converts mass to energy. You should be able to solve that equation for mass.

Answer 6

So would it be set up as 3.6 * 10^26?

Answer 7

That would be the energy, 3.6*10^26 J.

Answer 8

Okay so E would be 3.6 *10^26 then what would c be?

Answer 9

c is the speed of light which is 2.99792458*10^8 m/s

Answer 10

Were you able to find an answer?

Answer 11

Wait so how would I set it up now? Would i solve 3.6*10^26 and 2.99792458*10^8 and then i will find my answer?

Answer 12

@PsiSquared

Answer 13

Let's solve Einstein's equivalency equation for m:\[m=\frac{ E }{ c ^{2} }\]As shown above, we know E and c.

Answer 14

okay so we would plug it in

Answer 15

but what I'm trying to figure out is would I plug it in the way you set it out. or would i solve first and then whats i solve for this and get the answer i plug it in for E and the same with C etc..?

Answer 16

\[m=\frac{ 3.6\times10^{26} J}{( 2.99792458 \times 10^{8} m/s)^{2}}\]

Answer 17

Would the answer be 4.00554*10^9j s^2 /m^2

Answer 18

@PsiSquared

Answer 19

Yes. Note that if you simplify your units, you get kg which is of course a unit of mass.

Answer 20

Okay thank you so much!

Answer 21

You're welcome.