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.

Answered by Jake A. Physics tutor

7121 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between acceleration, speed and velocity?


A wave with a constant velocity doubles its frequency. What happens to the wavelength?


A student is investigating how the pressure exerted by a gas varied with the volume of the gas. The initial pressure was 1.6x10^5 Pa, with the volume being 9.0cm^3. Calculate the volume of the gas when the pressure was 1.8x10^5 Pa


State Newton's 1st Law:


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences