Which process is responsible for production of ... - JAMB Physics 2023 Question

Nuclear fusion is the process responsible for the production of energy in stars, including our Sun. This process involves the fusion (combination) of light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process. In the core of stars like the Sun, hydrogen nuclei (protons) undergo nuclear fusion to form helium nuclei.

The basic fusion reaction occurring in stars, particularly in the Sun, is the proton-proton chain reaction. In this process, hydrogen nuclei fuse together to form helium, and the excess mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle (E=mc²).

Nuclear reactions involve the release or absorption of energy through changes in atomic nuclei, and in the context of stars, nuclear fusion is the primary mechanism through which stars generate the energy that sustains their luminosity and heat. Therefore, Option C, "Nuclear fusion," is the correct choice for the process responsible for the production of energy in stars.