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The Sun is our closest star and the source of energy that motivates the growth and development of life on Earth. Thanks to the heat and light that reaches us from its surface, the water on our planet is in a liquid state, which together with the ability of plants to develop photosynthesis allows life to develop on our planet. However, one of the things that can most attract the attention of our closest star is its yellowish color. When we see fire, which we usually identify as extremely hot, we see that the most common color is red or orange.
So if the sun is much hotter than fire, Why is the sun yellow? If you want to discover it, keep reading Green Ecologist and we will tell you in a simple way, which will also serve as an explanation for children.
The colors of the stars
In reality, the stars of the Universe are not of a single color. In fact, we can find a great variety of colors when it comes to stars, going from red to blue, going through orange, yellow and even green. Despite what it may seem the color of the stars depends mainly on the temperature of its surface.
In this way, the less hot stars (those that are around 3,000 K of temperature) have a reddish color. Likewise, those that are hotter (those around 40,000 K) have a bluish appearance. In between, we find a lot of temperatures that determine the color of the stars, the most common being those that are in a range close to a temperature close to about 5,000 or 6,000 K, which have a yellowish hue.
Why do we see the Sun in yellow color: simple explanation
As we have seen, the color of stars is determined by their surface temperature. In this way, depending on the temperature at which the Sun is, it will be of one color or another. In the case of the great star on Earth, the Sun, it is a star with a surface temperature of around the 6,000 K temperature. Because of this, it is a star whose color is greenish-yellow.
However, it must be borne in mind that, unless we observe it through a space telescopeMost of the time we see the Sun we do it from the surface of the Earth and, as we all know, the Earth has an atmosphere. In fact, it is an atmosphere with a high oxygen concentration, which, among other things, allows us to breathe. However, when the yellow-green light reaches the surface of the Sun from the surface of the Sun where we see it, it has to pass through our atmosphere first. When passing through the air the color of the light that reaches us also varies, and this is the reason that, although the sunlight has a certain greenish tone, it is completely lost and the only color that we appreciate is the yellow color of the sun.
To explain it in a simple way to children, we can tell them that in reality, in space, the sunlight is yellow-greenish, but when it reaches the Earth, the yellow color is much more visible and, therefore, we can see it. So.
Why is fire red or orange
As we said, the color of the stars it depends on its surface temperature. Although what we usually think is that fire is very hot, in reality, it is a very low temperature compared to what can be reached on the surface of a star. Thus, the most common color of fire is red. Although for us fire is the hottest thing we usually find on Earth, compared to the stars, it is a very small temperature.
In fact, if we observe a flare well, be it from a fireplace or a bonfire, we can see that different colors are appreciated. The distribution of these colors also refers to the areas where higher temperatures of the flame are reached, although in none of these points the temperature is not even similar to that of the flame. Sun surface. If we look closely at the fire, we will see that the bluish tones appear closest to the fuel that is burned (for example, a piece of wood). Next, the yellow tones will appear and finally the part furthest from the fuel will be the red or orange part. In general, as this part is the largest and the one that is most visible, the color of fire is usually associated with these colors. But in reality, if we look closely, we will see that all the aforementioned colors are a common part of most flames or bonfires.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why the Sun is yellow: explanation for children, we recommend that you enter our category of Curiosities of the Earth and the universe.
