The carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle
A) operates at a slightly lower temperature than the proton-proton chain.
B) is most efficient in a star less massive than the sun.
C) occurs when carbon and oxygen combine to form nitrogen,which produces energy.
D) produces the energy responsible for bipolar flows.
E) combines four hydrogen nuclei to form one helium nucleus,which produces energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The carbon-nitrogen-oxygen (CNO) cycle is a set of nuclear fusion reactions that convert hydrogen into helium, with carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen acting as catalysts. It is one of the two sets of fusion reactions by which stars convert hydrogen into helium, the other being the proton-proton chain. The CNO cycle is more dominant in stars more massive than the sun, and it involves the fusion of four hydrogen nuclei into one helium nucleus, releasing energy.

The Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen Cycle