To do hydrogen fusion, 4 hydrogen nuclei, each a positively charged proton, must

Question

To do hydrogen fusion, 4 hydrogen nuclei, each a positively charged proton, must be forced very close together for the strong nuclear force to bind them together. The problem is that the electric repulsion between the positively charged protons is very strong up until that point. The Sun uses brute pressure and heat in its core to drive the protons close together enough, against electric forces, for the strong nuclear force to engage. What would happen to hydrogen fusion in the Sun if we increased the value of the constant ke in the coulomb equation F = keq1q2/r2? a) nothing b) hydrogen fusion would get easier (and the Sun would get hotter or explode) c) hydrogen fusion would get harder (and the Sun would cool)

Explanation / Answer

If K is increased, F increases, and hence hydrogen fusion would get harder (and the Sun would cool)

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