Question

9. The Sun is powered by the fusion of hydrogen atoms into

helium atoms. When the Sun has exhausted its hydrogen sup-
ply, it could fuse helium-4, forming carbon-12. Write a
balanced nuclear equation for this process.

Answer 1

Answer: A balanced nuclear equation for the fusion of helium-4 to form carbon-12 would be:

He-4 + He-4 -> C-12 + energy

In this equation, two helium-4 atoms fuse to form a single carbon-12 atom and release energy. This process would occur in the core of the Sun once it has exhausted its supply of hydrogen and begins to fuse helium-4.