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Gravity plays a crucial role in the fusion process within stars by compressing their core. As a star forms, gravitational forces pull matter inward, increasing the pressure and temperature in the core. When the temperature reaches millions of degrees, hydrogen nuclei can overcome their repulsion due to electrostatic forces and collide with enough energy to fuse into helium, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process. This energy counteracts gravitational collapse, creating a stable balance that allows the star to shine for billions of years.

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What is nebular fusion?

Nebular fusion is the process by which gas and dust in a nebula come together to form stars. As the material in the nebula clumps together due to gravity, it becomes denser and hotter, eventually reaching temperatures and pressures where nuclear fusion reactions can occur, leading to the birth of new stars.


What forces cause the accumulation of matter that form stars?

Well what the problem is really adressing is what force causes the accumulation of matter or the nebulae to form stars. Simply gravity. The nebulae collapes due to a concentrated point of gravity. All that matter collapes into a star. So the answer is gravity.


Is it true that fusion provides a force that balances the inward force of gravity in creating stars?

Sort of - there energy released by the fusion occurring in the core of the star balances the force of gravity trying to make the star collapse inwards.As a star evolves this balance changes and the size of the star will change over time. When the material available for fusion runs out in the core, gravity wins the fight.


What force is responsible for crushing or collapsing stars?

A supernova is caused the the fusion of (in most cases helium) molecules in iron. Once you reach iron, you can't use fusion. Thus, the star can't produce the energy to keep it stable and gravity causes it to collapse.


What is the process by which stars burn brightly?

Stars get their energy from nuclear fusion - mainly, hydrogen to helium.Stars get their energy from nuclear fusion - mainly, hydrogen to helium.Stars get their energy from nuclear fusion - mainly, hydrogen to helium.Stars get their energy from nuclear fusion - mainly, hydrogen to helium.

Related Questions

How do fusion and gravity maintain stars in their current form?

Fusion pushes out, Gravity pulls in.


How does gravity initiate nuclear fusion in stars?

Gravity initiates nuclear fusion in stars by exerting a strong force that causes hydrogen atoms to collide and fuse together, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of light and heat. This process, known as nuclear fusion, is what powers the sun and other stars, allowing them to shine brightly.


Can you explain the differences between nuclear fusion and gravity in terms of their roles in the formation and behavior of celestial bodies?

Nuclear fusion and gravity are two key forces in the formation and behavior of celestial bodies. Nuclear fusion is the process where atomic nuclei combine to release energy, which powers stars like the Sun. Gravity, on the other hand, is the force that pulls matter together, causing it to clump and form celestial bodies like planets and stars. While nuclear fusion powers the energy output of stars, gravity is responsible for holding these celestial bodies together and shaping their orbits and interactions. In summary, nuclear fusion fuels the energy of stars, while gravity shapes the structure and behavior of celestial bodies.


Stellar equilibrium relies on fusion and gravity to maintain stars in their current form?

Yes, a stable star is in equilibrium, called hydrostatic equilibrium, when the outward pressure from heat caused by core fusion processes balances the inward pull of gravity. There are other factors which alter the form of stars such as their rotation or gravity from external sources such as a nearby mass.


What helps the stars glow?

The fusion occurring in the stars cause large amount of light, heat, and radiation causing the stars luminosity.


What actually causes the fusion to occur in stars?

The cause is the very high temperature.


What process in stars cause the release of great quantities of energy?

Nuclear Fusion


How does gravity and nuclear fusion affect a stars size?

Gravity will cause a star to become smaller, because it pulls matter towards the star's core and causes it to contract. On the other hand, nuclear fusion will cause a star to become larger, because it produces an outward pressure, pushing the star's matter outwards and causing it to expand.


How did they become stars?

Gravity pulls the material together and it heats up to the point when self sustaining nuclear fusion starts.


What does nuclear fusion cause?

Nuclear fusion, which is the mechanism by which stars operate, will cause lighter nuclei to "combine" (fuse) to create heavier ones. It will also cause a lot of energy to appear. This is because the fusion reactions are exothermic (at least through fusion that creates elements up through iron).


What is nebular fusion?

Nebular fusion is the process by which gas and dust in a nebula come together to form stars. As the material in the nebula clumps together due to gravity, it becomes denser and hotter, eventually reaching temperatures and pressures where nuclear fusion reactions can occur, leading to the birth of new stars.


Are all-stars fusion reactors?

Yes, stars are fusion reactors.