What type of nuclear energy powers the sun?

Answer 1

Nuclear fusion in the sun works by fusion of hydrogen nuclei, ie protons, into helium nuclei. There are three stages: 1. two protons combine to form a proton-neutron pair, a positron, and a neutrino. 2.a proton-neutron pair combines with another proton to form a doubleproton-neutron triplet and a gamma ray. 3. two doubleproton-neutron triplets combine to form a doubleproton-doubleneutron particle (ie a helium nucleus) and two more protons. The energy releases of these stages are as follows:

In the Sun, with a 10 million K core, hydrogen fuses to form helium in the proton-proton chain reaction: : 41H → 22H + 2e+ + 2νe (4.0 MeV + 1.0 MeV) : 21H + 22H → 23He + 2γ (5.5 MeV) : 23He → 4He + 21H (12.9 MeV) These reactions result in the overall reaction: : 41H → 4He + 2e+ + 2γ + 2νe (26.7 MeV) where e+ is a positron, γ is a gamma ray photon, νe is a neutrino, and H and He are isotopes of hydrogen and helium, respectively. The energy released by this reaction is in millions of electron volts, which is actually only a tiny amount of energy. However enormous numbers of these reactions occur constantly, producing all the energy necessary to sustain the star's radiation output. Thus the overall energy production of a helium nucleus releases 26.7 MeV. (1MeV = 1.6 x 10-13 Joules) This is partly gamma energy and partly kinetic energy of the particles formed.

You can follow this process with the diagram attached as a link below

Answer 2

All stars, including our Sun is power by a nuclear reaction called, nuclear fusion. In this process two or more atomic nuclei join together or "fuse" to form a heavier nucleus.

Answer 3

Nuclear fusion