Hey, so I'm working on this sci-fi biology writing project right now, and I need help with some research.
Could anyone tell me ANYTHING about how fusion in stars works? I don't need an extremely in depth lecture or anything, but I would greatly appreciate some explanation on the basic idea and the mechanics behind it.
Thanks!
Stars make energy through nuclear fusion. In most stars, including the Sun, hydrogen atoms fuse together to form helium. This happens in the core where gravity creates extremely high pressure and temperatures of millions of degrees.
When hydrogen nuclei fuse, a small amount of mass is converted into energy:
E=m*c^2
That energy becomes heat and light. The outward pressure from fusion balances the inward pull of gravity, keeping the star stable.
Large stars can later fuse heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, and silicon. Fusion usually stops at iron because fusing iron no longer releases energy. In massive stars, this can lead to a supernova explosion