Question

What is fusion? What elements are involved in this reaction in the sun?

Answer 1

The combining of lighter atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus is called fusion. During this process, energy is absorbed or released and the resulting nucleus will be lighter than the combined masses of the two original atomic nuclei added together. This type of fusion is called nuclear fusion.

Complete answer:
During the process of nuclear fusion, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium and this energy keeps the sun shining. The next three elements heavier than helium: lithium, beryllium and boron are formed sometimes as intermediate products during this process. Nuclear fusion is the source of all the energy radiated by the sun. First, it converts hydrogen into helium or makes helium nuclei from protons. And the second thing it does is, it converts mass to energy. In the core, temperature and pressure are high enough to carry out a fusion reaction. These types of reactions power a hydrogen bomb. Fusion reactions require extreme conditions. They generally take place only at extremely high temperatures. The most important reaction in the core of the sun is a process known as the ‘proton-proton cycle’.

Note:
Note that there are two basic types of fusion reactions: those that preserve the number of neutrons and protons and those which involve a conversion between protons and neutrons. Fusion reactions generally produce more energy. They do not produce radioactive and toxic products. The easiest fusion reaction is the combining of deuterium with tritium to make helium and a neutron.