an element is formed in stars by action of gravity on certain atoms?

Question

a. what atoms are "pressed" together?
b. what new element is created by this joining?
c. what is this joining by action of gravity called?

Answer 1

a) Mostly hydrogen

b) Mostly helium. Some more complex stuff happens, but for our sun at its current stage in life, it's almost all H--> He.

c) Fusion--it mischaracterizes it somewhat to say the joining is done by gravity. Gravity creates the conditions under which fusion can occur, but the thermonuclear reaction is really accomplished by the strong nuclear force, which is much different than gravity.

Answer 2

A) Hydrogen
B) Helium
C) Nuclear fusion (or stellar nucleosynthesis)

Note that later in a star's life cycle, it may fuse helium into carbon, and then carbon into heavier elements, some of which can be further fused. The heaviest elements formed through normal fusion are iron and nickel; anything heavier can only form in a supernova.

Answer 3

a) hydrogen molecules/atoms are gravitationally compressed.
b) the process creates helium atoms
c) the process is called fusion

This fusion reaction is what powers a star like our sun.

Answer 4

a. hyrdogen
b.healum
c. fusion