Question

The reaction responsible for the production of light energy from the sun will be:
(A) Fission
(B) Fusion
(C) Nuclear
(D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint Energy is produced in the sun via nuclear fusion. 2 hydrogen isotopes collide with each other at a very high speed. The extreme heat already present in the sun acts as a catalyst for the reaction to proceed. Once the reaction occurs, a single neutron is ejected as a by-product and the helium atom is formed. This reaction results in a lot of heat being liberated.

Complete step by step answer:
The solar energy or the light energy of the sun comes from constant chemical reactions happening within the sun. Sun is a star made up of mostly hydrogen and helium atoms. The chemical reaction involved here can be represented by the following diagram:

During nuclear fusion, the high pressure and temperature in the core of the sun cause the hydrogen nuclei to separate from their electrons. These hydrogen nuclei then fuse to form a single helium atom.

Hence, Option (B) is correct.

Note Two hydrogen atoms fuse into each other to give a helium atom and a lot of energy. This energy is released because a helium atom is much more stable than a hydrogen atom and the binding energy of the resultant helium nuclei is much greater than the initial binding energy of the hydrogen nuclei.