All stars produce energy through nuclear fusion. Which is the reactant for the nuclear fusion reaction in all young stars?
Hydrogen
In all young stars, the reactant for the nuclear fusion reaction is hydrogen. Specifically, stars undergo a fusion process called the proton-proton chain reaction, which involves the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to form helium.
To understand this reaction in more detail, we can break it down into the following steps:
1. First, two hydrogen nuclei (protons) come together to form deuterium, which is an isotope of hydrogen. This step involves the weak nuclear force and is relatively slow.
2. In the next step of the reaction, another proton is added to the deuterium nucleus, resulting in the formation of helium-3 (an isotope of helium). This step involves the strong nuclear force and is relatively fast.
3. Finally, two helium-3 nuclei combine, resulting in the formation of helium-4 (a stable isotope of helium). This step releases two protons, which can then go on to participate in further fusion reactions.
Overall, the fusion of four hydrogen nuclei leads to the production of a single helium-4 nucleus. This fusion process releases an enormous amount of energy in the form of light and heat, which sustains the star and enables it to shine brightly.
So, to summarize, hydrogen is the reactant in the nuclear fusion reaction that powers all young stars.