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The "burning" inside a star is not fire as we are familiar with it, which is called combustion. Stars are powered by nuclear fusion. Combustion is a chemical process by which oxygen combines with other substances to make new molecules. In nuclear fusion, hydrogen atoms fuse with each other to form helium. This process produces millions of times more energy than combustion does.

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8y ago
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4mo ago

Stars do not require an atmosphere like Earth's to burn. The nuclear fusion process at their core generates energy, with the high temperatures and pressures sustaining the reaction. Oxygen is not a necessary component for this process to occur.

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Q: Without oxygen and an atmosphere how do stars burn?
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Why cant a match burn on the moon?

A match requires oxygen to burn, and there is no significant amount of oxygen in the moon's atmosphere. Without oxygen, combustion cannot occur.


Do shooting stars collide with other stars?

Shooting stars are not stars. They are bits of dirt and dust that burn up in our atmosphere. As they fly through our atmosphere they briefly look stars, which is how the names shooting or falling stars have come about, but they are not stars. Were such a piece of dirt to head toward a star, it would burn up long before it got anywhere close to it, so it could not hit it. A shooting star is usually what most call meteors and burn up in earths atmosphere giving the appearance of a falling star.


Will an astronaut succeed if he tries burning a candle in the natural environments of the moon?

No, a candle would not burn on the moon because there is no oxygen in the moon's atmosphere to sustain combustion. Oxygen is necessary for fire, and since the moon has very little atmosphere and virtually no oxygen, the candle would not be able to burn.


How does rocket fuel burn in space without oxygen?

The rocket carries its own supply of oxygen with which to burn the fuel.


Do different types of stars burn different fuel?

Yes, different types of stars burn different fuel. For example, yellow dwarf stars like our Sun primarily burn hydrogen into helium in their core. Red giant stars burn helium into heavier elements once they exhaust their hydrogen fuel. Massive stars can go on to burn even heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, and iron before reaching the end of their life cycle.

Related questions

Why cant a match burn on the moon?

A match requires oxygen to burn, and there is no significant amount of oxygen in the moon's atmosphere. Without oxygen, combustion cannot occur.


Does sodium nitrate burn in an oxygen free atmosphere?

No, sodium nitrate does not burn in an oxygen-free atmosphere because combustion requires oxygen to support the chemical reaction that produces heat and light. Without oxygen, there is no source for the combustion reaction to occur.


The reason why matches wont work on the moon has so many craters is the same What is this reason?

There is no atmosphere. Without oxygen matches will not burn. The atmosphere also causes space debris to burn up before it reaches earth.


A rocket is a motor that can burn fuel without requiring?

oxygen from the surrounding air, making it suitable for space travel where there is no atmosphere.


When fossil fuels burn do they produce oxygen?

No, fossil fuels do not produce oxygen when they burn. Instead, the combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This process contributes to air pollution and climate change.


True or false fire will not burn without oxygen?

True, fire must have oxygen to burn.


Do shooting stars collide with other stars?

Shooting stars are not stars. They are bits of dirt and dust that burn up in our atmosphere. As they fly through our atmosphere they briefly look stars, which is how the names shooting or falling stars have come about, but they are not stars. Were such a piece of dirt to head toward a star, it would burn up long before it got anywhere close to it, so it could not hit it. A shooting star is usually what most call meteors and burn up in earths atmosphere giving the appearance of a falling star.


What can burn in an oxygen free atmosphere?

Many things. Titanium burns well in both oxygen and nitrogen.


Can a candle burn on the moon?

No, a candle can't burn on the moon if it's not in some kind of atmosphere containing oxygen. The moon really doesn't have any atmosphere, and that means no oxygen to support combustion of any kind.


Will an astronaut succeed if he tries burning a candle in the natural environments of the moon?

No, a candle would not burn on the moon because there is no oxygen in the moon's atmosphere to sustain combustion. Oxygen is necessary for fire, and since the moon has very little atmosphere and virtually no oxygen, the candle would not be able to burn.


Does a match work on the moon?

no. there is no atmosphere on the moon and fire needs oxygen to burn.


Where in atmosphere does meteoroids burn?

"where the oxygen level increases then combustion takes place"