Question

In the proton-proton chain, the reaction step which creates deuterium is the _____ step.

Answer 1

The first step in the proton-proton chain creates deuterium by fusing two protons in high-temperature conditions inside the Sun's core.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction step which creates deuterium in the proton-proton chain is the first step. In this step, two hydrogen nuclei, which are protons, fuse together under high temperatures in the Sun's core.

This fusion overcomes electrostatic repulsion and forms the deuterium nucleus, an isotope of hydrogen that has one proton and one neutron.

Alongside deuterium, a positron (antielectron) and a neutrino are also produced, conserving the electric charge and completing the reaction.

The step in the proton-proton chain that creates deuterium is the second step.