Nuclear fusion | Physics | Khan Academy

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During nuclear fusion, two or more nuclei combine to form a different nucleus. When light nuclei fuse to produce a nucleus lighter than iron, energy is released (exothermic). When heavy nuclei fuse to produce a nucleus heavier than iron, energy is absorbed (endothermic). The release or absorption of energy relates to the difference in total mass of the reactants and products by E=mc^2. Nuclear fusion powers the Sun and other stars.

Sections:
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - What is nuclear fusion?
03:25 - What powers the sun?
04:58 - Mass defect (E = mc^2)
09:00 - Stellar nucleosynthesis (proton-proton chain)

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