What happens during nuclear fusion in the stars?

Answer 1

When a star is undergoing nuclear fusion its tremendous gravity is forcing the nuclei of atoms together, releasing extremely large amounts of energy. This release of energy is all that prevents a star from imploding under its own gravity.

Answer 2

Newly born stars begin by fusing their lightest atom, hydrogen. In the core of the star, these hydrogen atoms fuse to form the next heaviest element, helium. Then when the hydrogen runs out, the helium atoms fuse together to form carbon. Then when the helium runs out, the carbon atoms fuse to form oxygen. This manufacture of heavier and heavier elements continues until the star finally dies. The Sun will halt during the carbon-oxygen stage of fusion.

Answer 3

Depends inversely on the mass of the star: massive stars burn their fuel quickly and can die in a million years or less, very light stars burn their fuel slowly and can last tens of billions of years before dying.

After several stages of fusion, each using the "ash" of the previous stage as fuel, we get to the final "ash" an alloy of iron and nickel which cannot be fused further and the star burns out.

Answer 4

It depends on the mass of the star and its composition.

In our sun, fusion will continue for another 4.5 to 5 billion years, and has already been occurring for about the same time.

Answer 5

Check Wikipedias article about the sun, that should explain everything...

Answer 6

See the diagram in the link below