The Sun Is a Plasma Diffuser That Sorts Atoms by Mass

Author

Oliver Manuel, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Sumeet A. Kamat
Michael Mozina

Abstract

The Sun is a plasma diffuser that selectively moves light elements like H and He and the lighter isotopes of each element to its surface. The Sun formed on the collapsed core of a supernova (SN) and is composed mostly of elements made near the SN core (Fe, O, Ni, Si, and S), like the rocky planets and ordinary meteorites. Neutron emission from the central neutron star triggers a series of reactions that generate solar luminosity, solar neutrinos, solar mass fractionation, and an outpouring of hydrogen in the solar wind. Mass fractionation seems to have operated in the parent star and likely occurs in other stars as well.

Recommended Citation

O. Manuel et al., "The Sun Is a Plasma Diffuser That Sorts Atoms by Mass," Yadernaya Fizika, vol. 69, pp. 1847 - 1856, Springer Verlag, Nov 2006.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1134/S106377880611007X

Department(s)

Chemistry

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1063-7788

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2006 Springer Verlag, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Nov 2006