IB Physics E.5.1 Nuclear Fusion in Stars Key Definitions

Binding energy is the energy required to hold the nucleus together.

The electrostatic potential energy barrier that two positively charged nuclei must overcome (or tunnel through) in order to come close enough for the strong nuclear force to bind them together.

Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing an extraordinary amount of energy.

The dominant fusion reaction sequence in stars of similar mass to the Sun, in which four hydrogen nuclei ($^1$H) are converted into one helium-4 nucleus ($^4$He), releasing energy as photons, positrons, and neutrinos.