Explain the process of nuclear fusion in the Sun.

In the Sun the main fusion process is the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to form helium nuclei. Any two hydrogen nuclei repel each other as they are both positively charged, for the fusion to occur the two nuclei need to get close enough together so that this repulsion is overcome. This is achieved by the high temperature and pressure in the core of the Sun. The total mass of the products is less than the total mass of the reactants, the mass difference is released as energy, given by the equation E = mc2.

JA
Answered by Jake A. Physics tutor

8398 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain why evaporation cools a liquid.


Suppose a student wants calculate the density of the two different objects, a metal cube and a small statue. Describe the methods the student could use to measure the density of the two objects.


Describe what happens to a star, after the main sequence period, for the star to eventually become a black dwarf. (5 Marks)


How to calculate temperature of expanded ideal gas.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning