thermonuclear fusion


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The process by which two atomic nuclei are merged under extremely high temperatures and pressures to make one nucleus of another element. Usually, thermonuclear fusion refers to two hydrogen nuclei that are combined to make a helium nucleus. The result of this type of reaction is a large release of energy. Thermonuclear fusion is the process that powers a star. Every star on the main sequence converts mass into energy through thermonuclear fusion.