Chapter 11.2

what is the primary difference between nuclear fusion in the sun and nuclear fission in human-built reactors

fusion combines small nuclei into larger ones, while fission splits large nuclei into smaller ones

why does nuclear fusion occur in the sun’s core

the core’s high temperature and pressure allow positively charged nuclei to overcome electromagnetic repulsion and fuse

what force is responsible for binding protons and neutrons together in atomic nuclei during fusion

strong force

what is the end product of the proton-proton chain reaction in the sun

one helium nucleus

how many hydrogen nuclei are transformed into one helium nucleus during the proton-proton chain reaction

four

what particles are released during the proton-proton chain reaction in addition to helium

gamma rays, neutrinos, and positrons

what happens if the sun’s core temperature increases slightly

the fusion rate increases, causing the core to expand and cool down

what maintains the balance of energy production in the sun’s core

a natural feedback process involving both gravitational equilibrium and energy balance

how does energy primarily move through the sun’s radiation zone

by randomly bouncing photons

what causes convection currents in the sun’s convection zone

absorption of photons by solar plasma at lower temperatures

where do photons escape from the sun to become sunlight

from the photosphere

which method involves using physical laws to predict conditions inside the sun

mathematical order

how do scientists observe vibrations on the sun’s surface

by detecting doppler shifts in light from rising and falling gas

why are neutrino detectors placed deep underground or under ice

to block most other particles while allowing neutrinos to pass through