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Correct Answer: hydrogen.
the sun, which is the star at the center of our solar system, is predominantly composed of hydrogen. about 73% of the sun's mass is hydrogen, making it the most abundant element in the sun. this is a characteristic shared by most stars, as hydrogen is the most common element in the universe.
hydrogen plays a crucial role in the sun's structure and its energy output. inside the sun, hydrogen atoms undergo nuclear fusion, where they combine under extreme pressure and temperature to form helium, the second most abundant element in the sun, making up about 25% of its mass. this fusion process releases a tremendous amount of energy, which travels outward to the sun's surface and eventually radiates into space as light and heat.
while hydrogen and helium together make up about 98% of the sun's mass, there are also trace amounts of heavier elements such as oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. these elements, however, constitute a very small fraction of the sun's overall composition. oxygen, for example, makes up less than 1% of the sun's mass, and nitrogen is even less abundant. these heavier elements are thought to be remnants from the original molecular cloud that formed the sun.
understanding the composition of the sun is crucial for several areas of science, including astrophysics and solar physics. the predominance of hydrogen not only influences the sun's energy production and lifespan but also affects its spectral classification and future evolutionary stages. as the sun continues to fuse hydrogen into helium in its core, it will gradually change and eventually evolve into a red giant as its hydrogen supply diminishes.
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