Short answer: stars "burn" via nuclear fusion. Hydrogen atoms combine to form helium. As helium concentrations get higher, helium atoms fuse to form heavier elements. If the star goes supernova, the resulting explosion is powerful enough for endothermic fusion of heavier elements into really heavy elements.p.falk said:
The process of converting hydrogen to helium and helium to heavier elements is known as nuclear fusion. This occurs in the cores of stars where intense heat and pressure cause hydrogen atoms to fuse together to form helium. As the star continues to burn, the helium atoms fuse together to create heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, and iron.
The conversion of hydrogen to helium and helium to heavier elements releases energy because the mass of the resulting elements is slightly less than the initial mass of the atoms. This difference in mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc². This energy is what fuels the heat and light emitted by stars.
Yes, hydrogen and helium can be artificially converted into heavier elements through a process called nuclear transmutation. This involves bombarding these elements with high-energy particles to alter their atomic structure and create heavier elements. This process is used in nuclear reactors and particle accelerators to create elements like gold and platinum.
Scientists know that hydrogen and helium are the building blocks of all other elements through the process of spectroscopy. By analyzing the light emitted by stars, scientists can identify the elements present in their atmospheres. The majority of the light from stars comes from hydrogen and helium, providing strong evidence that they are the most abundant elements in the universe.
Yes, the conversion of hydrogen to helium and helium to heavier elements is a continuous process in the cores of stars. As long as there is a sufficient supply of hydrogen, the fusion reactions will continue, producing heavier elements. However, once the star runs out of hydrogen, the fusion process will slow down or stop, and the star will eventually die.