How does the sun produce so much energy without blowing up? Viewers discover the delicate balance of inward and outward forces within the sun through a short video. The lesson includes discussion questions and is part of a larger sun unit presented by NOVA.

Concepts

the sun, hydrogen, helium, gravity, nuclear fusion, gases, plasma, pressure, energy

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the lesson to support a unit on solar energy 
• Have the class watch a short video of a hydrogen bomb exploding so they can compare it to the lesson's content
  

Classroom Considerations

• Younger learners may need a little support in terms of explaining the fusion process
  

Pros

• Great explanations help viewers grasp the content
• The narrator is enthusiastic and engaging
  

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.6.2 SL.7.2 SL.9-10.2