During the main sequence phase, when four hydrogen nuclei fuse into one helium nucleus, what happens to the resulting small difference in mass?
Answer
It is converted directly into pure energy, following E=mc^2
The resulting helium nucleus has slightly less mass than the four original hydrogen nuclei; this missing mass has been converted directly into pure energy, as described by Einstein’s equation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary fuel source that keeps celestial giants shining for billions of years?What is the actual mechanism responsible for energy production inside a star's core?What fraction of a star's average mass is typically composed of hydrogen and helium combined?During the main sequence phase, when four hydrogen nuclei fuse into one helium nucleus, what happens to the resulting small difference in mass?What process is referred to by astronomers when describing the conversion of hydrogen into helium inside a star?What two opposing forces maintain the magnificent, sustained equilibrium in a sun-like star's long life?What must happen to a collapsing cloud of gas and dust, now a protostar, to ignite sustained hydrogen fusion?For stars similar to the Sun, what elements are primarily produced when fusion ignites in the shell around the inert helium core?What are the two distinct mechanisms by which energy travels from the core to the visible surface of a star?How does the lifespan of a star scale in relation to its mass?