Why is nuclear fusion more likely to occur in high-temperature environments like stars?
Correct answer: B. High temperatures overcome Coulomb repulsion
- A. High temperatures increase the nuclear radius
- B. High temperatures overcome Coulomb repulsion
- C. High temperatures reduce neutron emission
- D. High temperatures weaken the strong nuclear force
Explanation
Fusion requires positively charged nuclei to overcome their mutual Coulomb repulsion. High temperatures provide the kinetic energy needed for nuclei to approach closely enough for the strong nuclear force to initiate fusion.
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