What primary conversion reaction occurs in the center of a star during the Main Sequence phase?
Answer
Converting hydrogen into helium
The Main Sequence represents the longest and most stable period in a star's life, lasting billions of years for an average star like the Sun. During this extended tenure, the star maintains its energy balance by perpetually converting hydrogen nuclei into helium nuclei deep within its extremely hot and dense core through the process of thermonuclear fusion. This steady, reliable energy generation is what sustains the outward pressure required to balance the inward force of gravity, keeping the star's size and luminosity constant.
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