Describe what happens during nuclear fusion in a main sequence star (like our sun). Hydrogen atoms (with 1 proton) combine with other hydrogen atoms under
extreme heat to produce helium (2 protons) and a large amount of energy.
Helium atoms (with 2 protons) combine with other helium atoms under extreme
heat to produce hydrogen (with 1 proton) and a large amount of energy.
Hydrogen atoms (with 1 proton) move around the sun at nearly the speed of
light creating pressure in the sun while gravity pushes them closer together.
Helium atoms (with 2 protons) move around the sun at nearly the speed of light
creating pressure in the sun while gravity pushes them closer together.