Short Summary: The Fusion Process of the Sun

• The fusion process inside of a stellar object is a controlled process.
• It is the heavy elements present in the core of the stellar object that mimic control rods in a fission reactor.
• Spectrum analysis only allows for an elemental breakdown of the materials burning near the surface due to gravity.

Questions to Ask?

• Why does a fission reaction need controls rods for a contained reaction rate and fusion does not?
• In a supernova, the core of the star has access to large amounts of fusion material. How is this different from the norm?
• Once a fusion reaction is initiated, what controls or stops it?

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