What is the primary fusion reaction that sustains a star during its main sequence phase?
Answer
Conversion of hydrogen into helium
For the majority of a star's existence, particularly those similar to the Sun, the primary thermonuclear reaction involves fusing four hydrogen nuclei into one helium nucleus, balancing the inward pull of gravity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What process drives the creation of nearly every element heavier than hydrogen and helium in the universe?What is the primary fusion reaction that sustains a star during its main sequence phase?What core temperature is generally required to ignite the conversion of hydrogen into helium?What specific reaction is described as the initial helium fusion process in massive stars?What characteristic prevents stars like the Sun from continuing to fuse elements heavier than carbon or oxygen?What physical structure results from massive stars sequentially burning heavier elements in their cores and shells?Why does the formation of an iron core (iron-56) cause the star's internal furnace to shut down?What high-energy event is triggered by the sudden cessation of outward pressure caused by the iron core collapse?What rapid neutron-capture process is responsible for forging elements heavier than iron during a supernova?In which stellar environments does the slow neutron capture process (s-process) primarily create elements like barium and strontium?How are the elements synthesized inside the star, up to and including iron, ultimately dispersed into the galaxy?