Nuclear Fusion
What process occurs when two small atomic nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus?
Nuclear fusion.
What two particles are found inside an atom's nucleus?
Protons and neutrons.
What is a star primarily made of?
Plasma.
What does it mean when a star "synthesizes" an element?
It creates a new element by combining simpler parts.
According to the Big Bang Theory, about how long ago did the universe begin?
About 13.8 billion years ago
What two things are released when nuclear fusion occurs inside stars?
Energy in the form of light and heat.
What particle determines which element an atom is?
The proton
What force squeezes the core of a star and helps create the conditions for fusion?
Gravity.
What element can helium fusion produce?
What element marks the endpoint of normal fusion inside massive stars?
What were the first major elements to form after the Big Bang?
Hydrogen and helium.
What happens to the nucleus during nuclear fusion?
Nuclei combine, adding particles and forming a new, heavier nucleus.
What are isotopes?
Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons
hat element does hydrogen fusion in the Sun produce?
Helium.
Why can't a star continue fusing iron to release energy?
Fusing iron requires energy rather than releasing energy.
What is plasma?
A very hot state of matter in which electrons have been stripped away from atoms.
What conditions are necessary for nuclear fusion to occur inside a star?
Extremely high temperatures and pressures.
Deuterium has one proton and one neutron. What is its atomic mass?
2.
How does the energy produced in a star's core eventually reach Earth?
It travels outward as light and heat; sunlight takes about 8 minutes to reach Earth.
What element marks the endpoint of normal fusion inside massive stars?
Iron.
Which stars are hotter: red stars or blue stars?
Blue stars.
Why does nuclear fusion cause a star to release enormous amounts of energy?
A small amount of mass is converted into a large amount of energy, described by E = mc².
Hydrogen-1, deuterium, and tritium all have the same number of what particle?
Protons.
What does a star's color tell scientists about the star?
Its temperature and the rate at which fusion is occurring in its core.
How are elements heavier than iron, such as gold and uranium, created according to the presentation?
They are created during powerful supernova explosions and scattered into space.
Why can scientists say that the light from distant stars provides evidence of nuclear fusion?
The light is energy released by nuclear fusion occurring in the stars' cores.