Here's a breakdown of the typical composition of a star:
* Hydrogen (H): Around 70-75%
* Helium (He): Around 24-28%
* Other elements: Less than 2%, including oxygen, carbon, neon, iron, and others.
The process of nuclear fusion:
Stars generate energy through nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms fuse together to form helium. This process releases enormous amounts of energy, which we see as starlight. As stars age and consume their hydrogen fuel, they begin fusing heavier elements.
Important Note: While hydrogen and helium are the dominant gases, the specific composition of a star can vary depending on its size, age, and evolutionary stage.