Question

The sun produces 3.826 x 1026 Joules of energy every second as it combines smaller hydrogen atoms into larger helium atoms. What is the name of the process which allows for the production of so much energy? A) fission B) fusion C) heation D) photosynthesis

Answer 1

Combining several atomic nuclei into a single nucleus = nuclear fusion.

Splitting a single atomic nucleus into several atomic nuclei = nuclear fission.

Answer 2

Answer: The correct answer is Option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Sun is the only star present in Our Solar system. The temperature of Sun is Sun is around 5778 Kelvins. The temperature of Sun is so high because lighter nuclei combine together to form heavier nuclei releasing a huge amount of energy in the form of heat.

The reaction which undergoes continuously in Sun is nuclear fusion reaction because two hydrogen atoms combine together to form larger helium atoms. This reaction releases a large amount of energy.

The equations for the nuclear fusion reactions of hydrogen atoms follows:

`_1^1\textrm{H}+_1^1\textrm{H}\rightarrow _1^2\textrm{H}+_(+1)^0\textrm{e}+\text{energy}\\\\_1^2\textrm{H}+_1^1\textrm{H}\rightarrow _2^3\textrm{He}+\text{energy}\\\\_2^3\textrm{He}+_1^1\textrm{H}\rightarrow _2^4\textrm{He}+_(+1)^0\textrm{e}+\text{energy}`

The overall equation for the above reactions is:

`4_1^1\textrm{H}\rightarrow _2^4\textrm{He}+2_(+1)^0\textrm{e}+\text{energy}`

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.