Question

The Palo Verde nuclear power generator of Arizona has three reactors that have a combined generating capacity of 3.937×109 W . How many years would it take the Palo Verde nuclear power generator to produce the same amount of energy as the Sun does in one day? The energy generation rate, or luminosity, of the Sun is 3.839×1026 W

Answer 1

Answer:

t = 2.68 x 10¹⁴ years

Explanation:

First we need to find the amount of energy that Sun produce in one day.

Energy = Power * Time

Energy of Sun in 1 day = (3.839 x 10²⁶ W)(1 day)(24 hr/1 day)(3600 s/ 1 hr)

Energy of Sun in 1 day = 3.32 x 10³¹ J

Now, the time required by the nuclear power generator, in years, will be:

Energy of power generator = Energy Sun in 1 day = 3.32 x 10³¹ J

3.32 x 10³¹ J = Power * Time

3.32 x 10³¹ J = (3.937 x 10⁹ W)(t years)(365 days/1 year)(24 hr/1 day)(3600 s/ 1 hr)

t = 3.32 x 10³¹ /1.24 x 10¹⁷

t = 2.68 x 10¹⁴ years