how many atoms of hydrogen do you need to fuse to make a helium atom? (concerning stars)?

Answer 1

In astrophysics, the process requires 6 protons (hydrogen nuclei) to produce a single helium nuclei and 2 leftover protons:

1. Two hydrogen-1 nuclei will fuse to form a hydrogen-2 and a positron (an antimatter particle).
2 . The hydrogen-2 nucleus will fuse with a hydrogen-1 nucleus to form a helium-3 nucleus, and energy.
3. Two helium-3 nuclei will fuse to form a helium-4 nucleus and liberate two hydrogen nuclei.

The net process liberates energy, which drives the next cycle onwards.

Answer 2

The first step in nuclear fusion is the fusing of TWO hydrogen nuclei into deuterium. Two hydrogen nuclei obviously come from two hydrogen atoms.

Answer 3

h2