For nuclear fusion to happen in the Sun (like when two protons fuse into a deuteron), they need to overcome the Coulomb barrier (named after this smart dude, Coulomb), meaning, the repulsion, because both have a positive charge.
It’s like trying to push two same magnetic poles together. And the repulsion between protons is seriously strong.
According to classical physics, for this barrier to be overcome, protons need a ton of energy, meaning the temperature inside the Sun should be way higher than it actually is.
But it’s not.
The Sun’s temperature is “only” about 15 million degrees in the center, and it would need to be much higher.
So why is fusion still happening?
Because of quantum tunneling.
A proton’s like: "Classically I’m not allowed here, but I’m a probability wave, and I’m going in anyway. I don’t give a fuck, I’m a punk."
Thanks to this effect, even without enough energy, some protons sneak through the barrier and fuse.
Not often. But the Sun is huge, and there’s a shitload of particles.
So even a tiny probability leads to real heat and light.
So literally:
The Sun burns because particles do what they’re not supposed to do 😏
They go against the rules.
They fuse on pure attitude.
Rebels....
Rabe
2025-07-25 18:32:07 +0000 UTCAna
2025-07-22 21:29:30 +0000 UTCBryan Arreola
2025-07-22 20:36:07 +0000 UTC