During the majority of a star's active life, known as the main sequence phase, what conversion powers the star?
Answer
Converting hydrogen into helium
For the majority of a star's active life on the main sequence, its energy comes from the nuclear fusion reaction that converts hydrogen into helium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the term for the creation of new atomic nuclei from pre-existing ones inside stars?What two elements primarily compose a typical star like our own Sun, based on mass percentages?During the majority of a star's active life, known as the main sequence phase, what conversion powers the star?Approximately what core temperature must be reached for helium nuclei to begin fusing via the triple-alpha process?What element is primarily formed when three helium nuclei combine during the triple-alpha process in sun-like stars?In massive stars, which elements are formed sequentially in burning shells after carbon fusion, leading up to iron?Why does the progression of fusion through the periodic table abruptly halt at iron in terms of energy release?Which process is the only mechanism energetic enough to forge elements significantly heavier than iron, like gold and uranium?Elements such as strontium (Sr) and barium (Ba) are often formed through which neutron-capture process?What structural state of the core causes the catastrophic collapse leading to a Type II supernova?