Chapter 33, Problem 16TE

To determine

The reason for the non-ability of the Sun to fuse carbon nuclei in its core.

Answer to Problem 16TE

A carbon nucleus does not fuse in the Sun’s core due to the lack of enough temperature required for its fusion.

Explanation of Solution

The hydrogen atoms in the Sun’s core fuses to produce helium atoms. At some point, when the temperature becomes high enough, helium atoms fuse to produce carbon.

As the fusion process continues to take place, carbon gets accumulated in the Sun’s core. Carbon nuclei have a greater mass than helium nuclei. So, the temperature inside the core is not enough for the fusion of carbon nuclei. The carbon ash gets deposited in the core, and the fusion process decreases.

Conclusion:

Therefore, a carbon nucleus does not fuse in the Sun’s core due to lack of enough temperature required for its fusion.