Astronomy Math Buffs, I need help solving a problem! Can you show me how to do this?

J

Julie

New member
If the luminosity of the sun is L=1.9891x10^33 ergs/s, then how much mass is converted into energy every second in the Sun's interior. Remember the speed of light c=3x10^10 cm/s
 
You are told how much energy is emitted in a second, and asked how much mass this came from. The relationship between energy and mass that produces it is

E = mc^2, so m = E/c^2.

The energy and speed of light are given in cgs units, so the mass will be in grams.

You have E, you have c. Just plug in.
 
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