• Question: How does hydrogen help in the creation of a star?

    Asked by to Jemma on 27 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Jemma Rowlandson

      Jemma Rowlandson answered on 27 Jun 2014:

      Hi!

      Hydrogen not only helps the creation of a star but it helps kick everything off. Hydrogen is the most common element in the Universe because it is the simplest. The big bang created large clouds of hydrogen and some helium gas (the gas which makes your voice squeaky) floating around in space, which we call nebula.

      Part of this nebula with lots of hydrogen collapses forming a very dense and hot core, called a protostar. It has it’s own gravity and so stars pulling more hydrogen gas towards it. After a few million years fusion begins to happen in the centre of the new star (it’s core).

      Fusion in stars is when two hydrogen atoms collide at breakneck speed, creating energy and a heavier helium atom. The energy from these hydrogen atoms colliding is what powers all stars, including our own Sun.

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