How does energy transit time compare between the convective zone and the radiative zone in the Sun?
Answer
Energy moves vastly faster in the convective zone (weeks vs millennia)
The difference in energy transport mechanisms results in a massive disparity in timescale. In the radiative zone of the Sun, the tortuous path of photons due to absorption and re-emission causes energy transfer times estimated around 170,000 years. In stark contrast, the convective zone transports energy via the bulk motion of mass, akin to boiling liquid. This process is incredibly efficient, allowing energy parcels to travel from the base of the convection zone to the surface in a matter of days or weeks, representing an astonishing acceleration compared to the millennia required in the deeper radiative layers.
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