Hydrogen Fusion In The Sun's Core
The sun contains more hydrogen atoms then any other type of atom, hydrogen atoms are also the most simple atom. It contains one electron and a nucleus of one proton. In the core of the sun, temperatures are so extremely hot that for some reason, atoms lose their electrons. Nuclear Fusion is the transformation of hydrogen atoms to helium atoms. This nuclear fusion produces most of the sun's energy. The nuclear fusion process consists of five steps.
1: Two hydrogen protons collide and fuse (Energy is released)
2: One of these protons turns into a neutron
3: Another proton is added to the proton-neutron pair, making a hydrogen nucleus consisting of 2 protons and 1 neutron. (Energy is released)
4: Two of these clusters collide and fuse (Energy is released)
5: The final cluster throws off two protons. (Energy is released)
- What remains (2 protons and 2 neutrons) is the nucleus of a helium atom.
2: One of these protons turns into a neutron
3: Another proton is added to the proton-neutron pair, making a hydrogen nucleus consisting of 2 protons and 1 neutron. (Energy is released)
4: Two of these clusters collide and fuse (Energy is released)
5: The final cluster throws off two protons. (Energy is released)
- What remains (2 protons and 2 neutrons) is the nucleus of a helium atom.