Question
In the core of the Sun, hydrogen nuclei undergo fusion to form helium, releasing massive amounts of energy that power the star.
How does the concept of mass-energy equivalency explain the energy released in this fusion process?
A.The fusion process reduces the total mass, and the difference is converted into energy.
B.Energy is created because fusion splits the nucleus into smaller particles.
C.The strong nuclear force repels protons and releases energy.
D.The mass of the resulting helium atom is greater than the mass of the original hydrogen atoms.
How does the concept of mass-energy equivalency explain the energy released in this fusion process?
A.The fusion process reduces the total mass, and the difference is converted into energy.
B.Energy is created because fusion splits the nucleus into smaller particles.
C.The strong nuclear force repels protons and releases energy.
D.The mass of the resulting helium atom is greater than the mass of the original hydrogen atoms.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is:
**A. The fusion process reduces the total mass, and the difference is converted into energy.**
In the fusion process occurring in the Sun, hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium. According to Einstein's mass-energy equivalency principle (E=mc²), any loss of mass in this process is converted into energy. The mass of the helium nucleus produced is slightly less than the total mass of the hydrogen nuclei that fused together. This missing mass is transformed into energy, which is what powers the Sun.
**A. The fusion process reduces the total mass, and the difference is converted into energy.**
In the fusion process occurring in the Sun, hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium. According to Einstein's mass-energy equivalency principle (E=mc²), any loss of mass in this process is converted into energy. The mass of the helium nucleus produced is slightly less than the total mass of the hydrogen nuclei that fused together. This missing mass is transformed into energy, which is what powers the Sun.