When nuclear fusion begins, what can be said about the internal processes within that star?
Atoms in the star begin to split.
Atoms in the star begin to combine.
The star is turned into a nebula.
The star is turned into a blue giant.
is it b
Yes, nuclear fusion is when two atoms are fusing together.
Yes, when nuclear fusion begins within a star, atoms in the star begin to combine. This process involves the fusion of light atomic nuclei, typically hydrogen, to form heavier elements.
To understand this concept, we can break it down further:
1. First, we need to know that nuclear fusion is the process of combining two or more atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. In the case of stars like our Sun, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium atoms through fusion reactions.
2. The immense gravitational pressure within the star's core provides the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion to occur. When the temperature and pressure reach a certain threshold, the hydrogen atoms in the star's core collide with enough energy to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between their positively charged nuclei.
3. As a result, the hydrogen nuclei combine through a series of fusion reactions, resulting in the formation of helium nuclei. This process releases an enormous amount of energy in the form of light and heat, which is what powers a star.
So, in summary, when nuclear fusion begins, atoms in the star begin to combine, specifically hydrogen atoms fusing to form helium atoms.