When magnesium ribbon is placed in sulfuric acid, a chemical reaction takes place and heat energy is given off.
Liang and Naranbaatar are planning an investigation into the effect of the
length of magnesium ribbon on the increase in temperature. They decide to
carry out some preliminary work.
Explain what preliminary work they could do and how this would help them
plan their investigation.​

they it depends on if one believes about radioactivity, they make a geiger counter beep but maybe it was going to beep anyway electronics do wierd things all the time or it was programmed to beep near certain metals.

answer is: nuclear fusion produces elements that are heavier than helium.

nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.  

for example, fusion of hydrogen atoms at the sun.  

this fusion nuclear reaction is in the inner core of the sun and hydrogen (atomic number 1) is conveted into helium (atomic number 2).  

the inner core is the central region of the sun and all solar energy is produced in the core by nuclear fusion.