What is the fundamental physical reason why fusing elements lighter than iron releases energy, but attempting to fuse iron consumes energy?
Answer
Fusing elements lighter than iron releases energy, while fusing iron nuclei consumes energy.
The process of fusion is energy-releasing for elements lighter than iron, which counteracts gravity. Conversely, attempting to fuse iron nuclei together requires an input of energy rather than producing it, halting the constructive fusion chain.
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