What critical core temperature is needed for sustained hydrogen fusion ignition?
Answer
15 million Kelvin
The definitive transition point from a gas-powered protostar to a self-sustaining, true star hinges entirely on achieving extreme core conditions. This ignition requires the core temperature to reach approximately 15 million Kelvin ($15 imes 10^6$ K). At this precise threshold, the kinetic energy of the hydrogen nuclei (protons) is sufficient to overcome their mutual electrical repulsion. Once overcome, the strong nuclear force takes over, binding the protons together in a process that results in the fusion of hydrogen into helium, releasing enormous amounts of energy that define a true star's long life.
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