Nuclear Fusion and Stars

In nuclear fusion, smaller atoms are forced together to create larger atoms. Does this process release, absorb or maintain energy?

• Absorb energy
• Maintain energy
• Release energy

Do all stars make energy through fusion?

• Yes
• No
• Just our sun
• Only large stars

Define nuclear fusion.

• Nuclear fusion – combining lighter atoms to make heavier ones – is what makes it possible.

• Nuclear fusion – splitting lighter atoms to make heavier ones – is what makes it possible.

• Nuclear fusion – combining heavier atoms to make lighter ones – is what makes it possible.

• Nuclear fusion – splitting heavier atoms to make lighter ones – is what makes it possible.

This process, called nuclear fusion, is the energy source of all __________.

There may be more than one answer for this questions.

• planets

• suns

• stars

• plants

When hydrogen is "fused" together on the Sun, what new element is created?

• Helium

• Carbon Dioxide

• Oxygen

• Light

Read the sentence from the section "Two Key Parts Make Up Nuclear Fusion."

This means the end of the line for small stars, who quietly fade into darkness after they have used up their hydrogen.

The phrases "end of the line" and "fade into darkness" in the sentence give the reader a sense ____.

• that the stars suddenly die

• that the stars gradually disappear

• that the stars become too dim to see

• that the stars need more hydrogen for energy

When is a star born?

• when the nebula starts spinning
• nuclear fusion starts
• when gas and dust starts to contract
• when x rays get emitted

An explosion that occurs at the end of a massive star’s life is a              

• black hole
• supernova
• white dwarf
• nebula

particles that are located in the nucleus of an atom and no charge

• proton
• neutron
• electron
• dust

a dense positively charged sub atomic particle is called a 

• proton
• neutron
• electron
• plasma