Why are temperatures above 10 million degrees required for nuclear fusion in the Sun?

High temperature gives the hydrogen atoms enough energy to overcome the electrical repulsion between the protons. Fusion requires temperatures of about 100 million Kelvin (approximately six times hotter than the sun’s core). We must use energy from microwaves, lasers and ion particles to achieve these temperatures.

What temperature is needed for nuclear fusion?

100 million degrees
On Earth, to produce net power, fusion reactions must take place at very high temperatures of at least 100 million degrees, which is some seven times hotter than the centre of the Sun. At these very high temperatures the fusion fuel turns into a plasma.

Why fusion reactions need high temperature and pressure?

First, fusion requires both extremely high temperatures to give hydrogen atoms enough energy to overcome repulsion between the protons. Energy from microwaves or lasers must be used to heat hydrogen atoms to the necessary temperatures. Second, high pressures are needed to squeeze hydrogen atoms close enough to fuse.

Where fusion takes place in the Sun over 15 million Celsius?

The core is the hottest part of the Sun, at 15 million degrees Celsius. This is hot enough to sustain thermonuclear fusion, when hydrogen atoms are fused together to form larger helium atoms. This releases an extraordinary amount of energy which in turn is released as heat and light.

What temperature is required to achieve fusion in the core of the Sun?

Fusion occurs on a much larger scale in the sun. With a core temperature of 15 million degrees Celsius, its sheer gravitational force crushes protons together to achieve nuclear fusion.

What is the Sun nuclear fusion?

In the core of the Sun hydrogen is being converted into helium. This is called nuclear fusion. It takes four hydrogen atoms to fuse into each helium atom. During the process some of the mass is converted into energy.

Why does fusion only take place at very high temperatures in the sun?

Nuclear fusion of hydrogen to form helium occurs naturally in the sun and other stars. It takes place only at extremely high temperatures. That’s because a great deal of energy is needed to overcome the force of repulsion between the positively charged nuclei. In the core, temperatures reach millions of degrees Kelvin.