What process occurs in the core of the sun?

The process that occurs in the core of the sun is nuclear fusion. This is the reaction that powers the sun and produces the energy that radiates outward, eventually reaching Earth. In the core, extreme temperatures and pressures allow hydrogen nuclei (protons) to collide and fuse together, forming helium atoms. This fusion process releases a tremendous amount of energy in the form of light and heat due to the conversion of mass to energy, as described by Einstein’s equation E=mc².

Nuclear fusion is essential for the sun's lifecycle and for generating the energy necessary for sustaining its luminosity and providing heat to the solar system. Without this process, the sun would not be able to maintain the high temperatures required for fusion to occur, and the dynamics of the entire solar system would be fundamentally different. Understanding nuclear fusion is key to comprehending how stars like our sun produce energy and how they evolve over time.