Heat transfer

Definition

Heat transfer is the process by which thermal energy moves from one object or substance to another due to a temperature difference. In the Sun's core, heat transfer occurs primarily through radiation and convection, driving the mechanisms that power our star.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the Sun's core, heat is transferred mainly through radiation, where energy is carried by photons.
2. The radiative zone of the Sun extends from about 0.2 to 0.7 solar radii where energy moves outward via radiative diffusion.
3. Convection becomes the dominant mode of heat transfer in the outer layers of the solar interior, specifically in the convective zone.
4. The transition between radiative and convective zones is marked by a region called the tachocline.
5. Efficient heat transfer within the Sun is crucial for maintaining its stable structure and continuous nuclear fusion reactions.

Review Questions

• What are the primary modes of heat transfer within the Sun?
• In which zone of the Sun does radiation primarily occur as a method of heat transfer?
• What marks the transition between radiative and convective zones in the solar interior?

Related terms

Radiative Zone:

The region within a star where energy is transported outwards by photon radiation rather than by convective currents.

Convective Zone:

The outer layer of a star's interior where energy is transported outward by convection.

Tachocline:

A thin transitional layer within a star where there is a sharp change in rotational velocity between different parts of its interior.