The main source of the sun's energy is
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 20 - 2004 - Paper 1
Question 20
The main source of the sun's energy is
A. fusion of hydrogen to form helium.
B. fusion of helium to form carbon.
C. fusion of carbon to form heavier atoms.
D. All of... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The main source of the sun's energy is
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 20 - 2004 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. fusion of hydrogen to form helium.
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Answer
The primary process that powers the sun is nuclear fusion, specifically the fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium. This process releases a massive amount of energy, which is the primary source of the sun's energy.
Step 2
B. fusion of helium to form carbon.
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Answer
While helium fusion contributes to energy production in more evolved stars, it is not the main source of energy in the sun. The sun primarily undergoes hydrogen fusion.
Step 3
C. fusion of carbon to form heavier atoms.
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Answer
Like helium fusion, carbon fusion occurs in later stages of stellar evolution. However, in the sun, this is not the main source of energy as it primarily fuses hydrogen.
Step 4
D. All of the above.
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Answer
Although all these fusion processes occur in stars, the main source of energy in the sun is the fusion of hydrogen into helium. Therefore, the correct answer is A.
