NUCLEAR PHYSICS

NUCLEI:
Rutherford established that a central core exists in every atom which contains entire positive charge and more
than 99% mass of the atom, this central core was named as Nucleus.
The overall dimensions of a nucleus are much smaller than those of an atom. The radius of the nucleus of the
order 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟓 𝐦 which is also know as Fermi.
COMPOSITION OF NUCLEUS:
• The nucleus was first discovered in 1911 by Lord Rutherford and his associates by experiments on
scattering of α-particles by atoms.
• He found that the scattering results could be explained, if atoms consist of a small, central, massive and
positive core surrounded by orbiting electrons.
• The study of radioactivity revealed that nucleus is made of nucleons. The positive charge in the nucleus
is that of the protons. A proton carries one unit of fundamental charge (charge on electron ).
• The study of isotopes of hydrogen led to the fact that in addition to protons, the nuclei of atoms contain
neutral matter. This hypothesis was verified in 1932 by James Chadwick.
• Chadwick proved that nucleus consists of a new type of neutral particles called neutrons.
• He estimated the mass of a neutron being roughly equal to mass of a proton.
ATOMIC MASS UNIT:
The mass of an atom is very small. Kilogram cannot be used to measure such small quantity of mass. It is
measured by a unit called atomic mass unit (amu, i.e. u).
𝟏 𝐚𝐦𝐮 𝐨𝐫 𝟏 𝐮 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟔𝟎𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐𝟕 𝐤𝐠
COMPOSITION OF NUCLEUS AND ITS SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION:
Nuclear species or nuclides are shown by the notation 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀 , where X is the chemical symbol of the species, Z
is called as Atomic No. And A is called as Mass No.

ATOMIC NUMBER (Z):

Atomic number of an element is the number of protons present inside the nucleus of an atom of the element.
It is also equal to the number of electrons revolving in various orbits around the nucleus of the neutral
atom.
𝐀𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 (𝐙) = 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬 = 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐦)
MASS NUMBER (A):
Mass number of an element is the total number of protons and neutrons inside the atomic nucleus of the
element.
𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐨. (𝐀) = 𝐍𝐨. 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐧 + 𝐍𝐨. 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐬 = 𝐀𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐍𝐨. (𝐙) + 𝐍𝐨. 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐬 = 𝐙 + 𝐍.
The term nucleon is also used for neutron and proton. Thus, the number of nucleons in an atom is its mass
number A.
ISOTOPES:
Nuclides having the same charge number (Z) but different mass number (A) are called isotopes. All the isotopes
are chemically similar and hence they occupy the same position in the periodic table.
Examples: 𝟏 𝐇 𝟏 , 𝟏 𝐇 𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟏 𝐇 𝟑 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝟏𝟎 𝐍𝐞𝟐𝟎 , 𝟏𝟎 𝐍𝐞𝟐𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟏𝟎 𝐍𝐞𝟐𝟐 𝒆𝒕𝒄.
ISOBARS:
Nuclides having the same mass number (A) but different atomic number (Z) are called isobars.
Examples: 𝟏𝟖 𝐀𝐫 𝟒𝟎 , 𝟐𝟎 𝐂𝐚𝟒𝟎 .
ISOTONES:
Nuclides having the same neutron number (A - Z) but different mass number (A) are called isotones.
Examples: 𝟏𝟗 𝐊 𝟑𝟗 , 𝟐𝟎 𝐂𝐚𝟒𝟎 .
SIZE OF NUCLEUS:
From all these experiments, it is found that the volume of the nucleus is directly proportional to the number
of nucleons (mass number) constituting nucleus. If R is the radius of the nucleus having mass number A then,
 4 3
𝑉∝ 𝐴 ⇒ 𝜋𝑅 ∝ 𝐴
3
1
3 3 3 1
⇒ 𝑅3 ∝ 𝐴 ⇒ 𝑅 ∝ ( ) 𝐴3
4𝜋 4𝜋
1
3 3 1
⇒ 𝑅 = 𝑘 ( ) 𝐴3
4𝜋
1
3 3
Where k (4π) = R 0 = Some constant known as Fermi Constant = 1.2 × 10−15 m. It is also known as
Nuclear Unit Radius.
𝟏
⇒ 𝐑= 𝐑 𝟎 𝐀𝟑
NUCLEAR DENSITY:
Density of nuclear matter is the ratio of mass of nucleus and its volume. If m is the average mass of a nucleon
and A is the mass number of element.
Then the mass of nucleus = m•A = 1.67 × 10−27 𝐴.
1 3
4 4 4
If R is the nuclear radius, then volume of nucleus(V) =3 𝜋𝑅3 = 3 𝜋 (𝑅0 𝐴3 ) = 3 𝜋𝑅03 𝐴.
Mass of Nucleus (1.67×10−27)•A
Nuclear Density ρ = Volume of Nucleus = 4
3
πR30 A
𝟑(𝟏. 𝟔𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐𝟕 )
𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 =
𝟒𝛑𝐑𝟑𝟎
Thus, the density of nucleus is a constant, independent of A, for all nuclei. Different nuclei are like drop of
liquid of constant density. After solving above equation by putting value of R 0 .The density of nuclear matter is
𝐤𝐠
approximately 𝟐. 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟕 𝐦𝟑 . This density is very large as compared to an ordinary matter.

NUCLEAR STABILITY:
A nucleus is said to be stable if it remains bind up with its Nucleons i.e. Nucleus does not disintegrates with
time. As a nucleus contains larger No. Of Nucleons (Proton + Neutron) , so if we consider any one proton then
it experiences two force then only nucleus become stable ,these forces are :
• Electrostatic Repulsive Force between Protons.
• Attractive Force between Neutron – Neutron, Proton – Proton and Neutron – Proton.

If only electrostatic Repulsive Force exists inside the nucleus then causes breakdown of nucleus hence nucleus
splits and It would not be stable. Hence in addition to Electrostatic Repulsive Force one Other force known as
Strong Nuclear Force exists between the Nucleons.
• A nucleus will remain stable only if electrostatic Repulsive Force is balanced by some attractive Force
known as Strong Nuclear Force.
𝐅⃗𝐄𝐑 = 𝐅⃗𝐍𝐮
For binding a nucleus together, there must be a strong attractive force of a totally different kind. The
force must be strong enough to overcome the repulsion between protons and to bind both protons and
neutrons into tiny nuclear volume, this force is called as Nuclear Force.

CHARACTERISTICS OF NUCLEAR FORCE:

• Nuclear forces among a pair of neutrons, a pair of protons and also between a neutron-proton pair, is
approximately the same. This shows that nuclear forces are independent of charge.
• The nuclear forces are very short range forces. They are operative upto distances of the order of a few
fermi.
• The nuclear force is much stronger than the coulomb force acting between charges or gravitational
forces between masses.
• Nuclear force between two nucleons falls rapidly to zero as their distance is more than a few
femtometres (fm). This leads to saturation of forces in a medium or large sized nucleus, i.e. each nucleon
interacts with its immediate neighbours only, rather than with all the other nucleons in the nucleus.
• The nuclear forces are dependent on spin or angular momentum of nuclei.
• Nuclear forces are the strongest attractive forces between nucleons. It is non-conservative force and does
not obey inverse square law. It is non-central force also.
• The force between Nucleons is attractive for distances larger than 0.8 fm and repulsive for the
distances less than 0.8 fm between nucleons.
HAVIOUR NUCLEUS ARE UNSTABLE:
As nucleus size increases the No. Of Nucleons inside the nucleus increases as the No. Of Nucleons increase it
causes increase in both protons and Neutrons. Due to increment in No. Of Protons repulsive force between
Nucleons increases. No. Of Neutrons also increases hence nuclear force also increases but as Nuclear force is
short range force so due to larger size of nucleus nuclear force is not too much effective upto larger distances.
Hence increment in electrostatic Repulsive Force dominates , so nucleus become unstable.
MASS-ENERGY EQUIVALENCE:
According to Einstein the mass and energy are equivalent i.e., mass can be converted into energy and vice-versa.
The mass energy equivalence relation is:
𝚫𝑬 = 𝚫𝒎 • 𝒄𝟐
i.e. mass Δ𝑚 can be converted into energy which is equal to Δ𝑚 • 𝑐 2 .
At atomic level and nuclear level unit of mass is amu or u , and 𝟏 𝐚𝐦𝐮 = 𝟏 𝐮 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐𝟕 𝐤𝐠.
Energy which is equivalent to 𝚫𝐦 = 𝟏 𝐚𝐦𝐮 ,
𝚫𝐄 = (𝟏. 𝟔𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐𝟕 ) × (𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 )𝟐 = 𝟗𝟑𝟏. 𝟓 𝐌𝐞𝐕 ≈ 𝟗𝟑𝟏 𝐌𝐞𝐕

FORMATION OF NUCLEUS:
Suppose formation of nucleus of 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀 takes place then in formation of this nucleus initially Z protons , (A-Z)
Neutron are far apart with each other . If they come close to each other in the range of 10−15 𝑚 then nucleus is
formed in which all the constituent particles are bind together.
Initially when neutrons and Protons are far apart then energy of system is zero as there is no interaction between
them. Now when nucleus is formed then all Nucleons are bind up together with the attractive force hence energy
of system become negative with the release of energy.
𝐙(𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬) + (𝐀 − 𝐙)𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐬 → 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀 + 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲
In terms of mass :
𝐙 • 𝐦𝐩 + (𝐀 − 𝐙) • 𝐦𝐧 → 𝐦( 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀 ) + 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲
Where mp = Mass of one proton , mn = Mass of one Neutron and m( Z X A ) = Mass of nucleus 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀
It is observed that total mass of reacting nucleus is more than mass of nucleus formed i.e. some mass disappears
during the formation of nucleus.
𝐙 • 𝐦𝐩 + (𝐀 − 𝐙) • 𝐦𝐧 > 𝐦( 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀 )
MASS DEFECT (𝚫𝐦) ∶
Mass of Nucleons which disappears during the formation of nucleus is called as Mass defect or Mass which
disappears during nuclear reaction. Energy which is released during the formation of nucleus is generated from
the mass which disappeared during the nucleus formation i.e. mass defect.
Δm = Total mass of reacting nucleons − Mass of nuclie formed
𝚫𝐦 = 𝐙 • 𝐦𝐩 + (𝐀 − 𝐙) • 𝐦𝐧 − 𝐦( 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀 )
According to mass energy equivalence this mass which disappears during nuclear reaction is converted to energy.
𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 (𝚫𝐄) = 𝚫𝐦 • 𝐜 𝟐 = [𝐙 • 𝐦𝐩 + (𝐀 − 𝐙) • 𝐦𝐧 − 𝐦( 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀 )] • 𝐜 𝟐
BINDING ENERGY:
When nucleons combine to form a nucleus, the energy releases during this process is called as binding energy of
nucleons.
OR
The binding energy is equal to the work that must be done to split the nucleus into particles constituting it.
This energy is obtained by conversion of mass (mass defect) into energy according to mass energy equivalence.
𝐁𝐄 = 𝚫𝐦 • 𝐜 𝟐 = [𝐙 • 𝐦𝐩 + (𝐀 − 𝐙) • 𝐦𝐧 − 𝐦( 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀 )] • 𝐜 𝟐
Above process is lengthy , we know that due to mass defect of 1 amu energy released = 931.5 MeV.
So if Δ𝑚 is mass defect in amu then energy released i.e. BE,
𝐁𝐄 = 𝟗𝟑𝟏 • 𝚫𝐦 = 𝟗𝟑𝟏 • [𝐙 • 𝐦𝐩 + (𝐀 − 𝐙) • 𝐦𝐧 − 𝐦( 𝐙 𝐗 𝐀 )] 𝑴𝒆𝑽
• During initial phase it was assumed that Binding Energy is criteria to decide stability of nucleus i.e. Nuclei
having more binding energy are more stable and having less binding energy are less stable.
• But it is observed that 𝟐𝟔 𝐅𝐞𝟓𝟔 has BE of 490 MeV and that of 𝟖𝟑 𝐁𝐢𝟐𝟎𝟗 is 1640 MeV. So according to BE
criteria 83 Bi209 is more stable and 26 Fe56 𝑖𝑠 less stable but reality was different as Fe (iron) found to be
most stable element of periodic table. Hence a new criteria was introduced to find stability of nucleus.
BINDING ENERGY PER NUCLEON:
Binding energy divided by No. Of Nucleons present in Nucleus is called as Binding energy per Nucleons.
𝐁𝐄 𝟗𝟑𝟏 • 𝚫𝒎
𝐁𝐄𝐍 = 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐨𝐧 = = (𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐕 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐨𝐧)
𝐀 𝑨
• It is not the binding energy which accounts for the stability of nucleus.
• The stability of nucleus is governed by binding energy per nucleon. The more the binding energy per
nucleon, the more stable a nucleus is.
PACKING FRACTION:
Mass defect does not convey much information about nuclear stability and it is misleading to say that higher the
mass defect more tightly bound nucleons exist in the nucleus.
Packing fraction is a better means of expressing the stability of nucleus. If 𝚫𝐦 is the mass defect of a nucleus and
A is its mass number then packing fraction :
𝚫𝐦
𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 =
𝐀
i.e. Mass defect per Nucleon is called as packing fraction.

VARIATION OF BINDING ENERGY PER NUCLEON WITH MASS NUMBER A:

Following facts can be concluded from this curve:
• The binding energy per nucleon for light nuclei, such as 𝟏𝐇𝟐 , is very small.
• The binding energy per nucleon increases rapidly for nuclei up to mass number 20 and the
curve possesses peaks corresponding to nuclei 𝟐𝐇𝐞𝟒 , 𝟔𝐂 𝟏𝟐 and 𝟖𝐎𝟏𝟔 . The peaks indicate
that these nuclei are more stable than those in their neighbourhood.
• For 𝟐𝟔𝐅𝐞𝟓𝟔 , the binding energy per nucleon is maximum and it is equal to 8.8 MeV.
• After mass number 120, binding energy per nucleon starts decreasing and drops to 7.6 MeV
for uranium. This low value of binding energy per nucleon in case of heavy nuclei is unable
to have control over the repulsion between the large number of protons. Such nuclei are
 unstable and are found to disintegrate by this process they also increases the value of B.E.
per Nucleon of the nucleus.
• The binding energy per nucleon has a low value for both very light and very heavy nuclei.
In order to attain higher value of binding energy per nucleon, the lighter nuclei may unite
together to form a heavier nucleus (process of nuclear fusion) or a heavier nucleus
may split into lighter nuclei (process of nuclear fission). In both the nuclear processes,
the resulting nucleus acquires greater value of binding energy per nucleon along with the
liberation of enormous amount of energy.

NUCLEAR FISSION
The splitting of heavy nucleus into two or more fragments of comparable masses, with an enormous release
of energy is called nuclear fission.
In nuclear fission, heavy nuclei having mass number A greater than 200, break up into two or more fragments of
comparable masses. The most suitable fission material, from a practical point of view, to achieve energy from
nuclear fission is 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟓 .
The technique to start nuclear fission is to hit a uranium sample by slow moving neutrons also called thermal
neutrons. A 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟓 nucleus has large probability of absorbing a slow neutron and forming 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟔 nucleus. This
nucleus then fissions into two parts. A variety of combinations of the middle-weight nuclei may be formed due
to the fission.
For example Fission of Uranium Results,
𝟐𝟑𝟓
𝟗𝟐 𝐔 + 𝟎 𝐧𝟏 → 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟔 → 𝟓𝟔 𝐁𝐚𝟏𝟒𝟏 + 𝟑𝟔 𝐊𝐫 𝟗𝟐 + 𝟑 • 𝟎 𝐧𝟏 + 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲
In a nuclear fission reaction, we observe that:
• On an average, 2.5 neutrons are emitted in each fission event.
• Mass lost per reaction is ≈ 0 2. a.m.u.
• In nuclear fission reaction, the total B.E. increases and excess energy is released.
• In each fission event, about 200 MeV of energy is released. A large part of this released energy appears
in the form of kinetic energies of the two fragments. Neutrons take away about 5 MeV.
• In nuclear fission the sum of masses before reaction is greater than the sum of masses after reaction,
the difference in mass i.e. Mass defect being released in the form of fission energy.
• Q – Value: The amount of energy released during a nuclear reaction is called as Q – Value of reaction.
Consider nuclear reaction:
𝟐𝟑𝟓
𝟗𝟐 𝐔 + 𝟎 𝐧𝟏 → 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟔 → 𝟓𝟔 𝐁𝐚𝟏𝟒𝟏 + 𝟑𝟔 𝐊𝐫 𝟗𝟐 + 𝟑 • 𝟎 𝐧𝟏 + 𝐐
To calculate Q – Value ,calculate mass defect Δ𝑚,
Δ𝑚 = [𝑚( 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟓 ) + 𝒎( 𝟎 𝐧𝟏 )] − [𝒎( 𝟓𝟔 𝐁𝐚𝟏𝟒𝟏 ) + 𝒎( 𝟑𝟔 𝐊𝐫 𝟗𝟐 ) + 𝟑𝒎( 𝟎 𝐧𝟏 )]
Now multiply Δ𝑚 With 931 we get the Q – Value in MeV.
 Q – Value = [𝒎( 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟓 ) + 𝒎( 𝟎 𝐧𝟏 )] − [𝒎( 𝟓𝟔 𝐁𝐚𝟏𝟒𝟏 ) + 𝒎( 𝟑𝟔 𝐊𝐫 𝟗𝟐 ) + 𝟑𝒎( 𝟎 𝐧𝟏 )] × 𝟗𝟑𝟏 𝑴𝒆𝑽
• The phenomenon of nuclear fission was discovered by Otto Hans and F. Strassman in 1939 and was
explained by N. Bohr and J.A. Wheeler.

CHAIN REACTION:
If on the average more than one of the neutrons produced in each fission are capable of causing further
fission, the number of fissions taking place at successive stages goes on increasing at a rapid rate, giving
rise to self sustained sequence of fission known as chain reaction.
• Critical Mass : If the amount of uranium is too small, then the liberated neutrons have large scope to
escape from the surface and the chain reaction may stop before enough energy is released for explosion.
Therefore, in order for explosion to occur, the mass uranium has to be greater than some minimum
value, called the critical mass.
• There are two types of chain reactions:
1. Uncontrolled Chain Reaction: In this process the number of fissions in a given interval on the
average goes on increasing and the system will have the explosive tendency. This forms the
principle of atom bomb. If a nuclear reaction is uncontrolled then in about 𝟏 𝝁𝒔 energy of order
of 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 J is released.
2. Controlled Chain Reaction: (As in a Nuclear Reactor) In this process the number of fissions in
a given interval is maintained constant by absorbing a desired number of neutrons. This forms the
principle of nuclear reactor.

NUCLEAR REACTOR:
Nuclear reactor is the most important part of a nuclear power plant. In the nuclear reactors the nuclear chain
reactions occur that produce energy by fission. The heat thus produced can be used to produce [Link]
main purpose of a reactor is to contain and control the energy released.
Principle:
Controlled chain reaction forms the principle of working of nuclear reactor.
Parts of Nuclear Reactor:

Nuclear reactor consisting of the following parts:

• Fuel: The fuel is 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟓 𝐨𝐫 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟔 𝐨𝐫 𝟗𝟒 𝐏𝐮𝟐𝟑𝟗 . By the fission of these materials energy is produced.
 • Moderator: A moderator is a suitable material to slow down neutrons produced in fission. The best
choice as moderators are heavy water (𝑫𝟐 𝑶)and graphite (C ).
• Controller: To maintain the steady rate of fission, the neutron absorbing material known as controller
is used. The control rods are made of Cadmium or Boron-steel.
• Coolant: To remove the considerable amount of heat produced in the fission process, suitable cooling
fluids known, as coolants are used. The usual coolants are water, carbon-dioxide, air etc.
• Reactor Shield: The intense neutrons and gamma radiation produced in nuclear reactors are harmful for
human body. To protect the workers from such radiations, the reactor core is surrounded by concrete
wall, called the reactor shield.

NUCLEAR FUSION:
The phenomenon of combination of two or more light nuclei to form a heavy nucleus with release of enormous
amount of energy is called the nuclear fusion.
The sum of masses before fusion must be greater than the sum of masses after fusion, the difference in mass i.e.
mass defect appearing as fusion energy. The fusion of two deuterium nuclei into helium is expressed as:
𝟐 𝟐 𝟒
𝟏 𝐇 + 𝟏 𝐇 → 𝟐 𝐇𝐞 + 𝐐
Q – Value = [𝒎( 𝟏 𝐇 ) + 𝒎( 𝟏 𝐇 )] − [𝒎( 𝟐 𝑯𝒆𝟒 )] × 𝟗𝟑𝟏 𝑴𝒆𝑽.
𝟐 𝟐

• The fusion process occurs at extremely high temperature and high pressure just as it takes place at sun
where temperature is 107 𝐾. So, fusion reactions are also called Thermo-nuclear reactions.
• Nuclear fusion has the possibility of being a much better source of energy than fission due to the following
reasons.
• In fusion there is no radiation hazard as no radioactive material is used.
• The fuel needed for fission 𝟗𝟐 𝐔 𝟐𝟑𝟓 etc. is not available easily whereas hydrogen needed for fusion can be
obtained in huge quantity.
• The energy released per nucleon is much more in fusion than in fission.
• For the fusion to take place, the component nuclei must be brought to within a distance of 10−14 m. For
this they must be imparted high energies to overcome the repulsive force between nuclei. This is possible
when temperature is enormously high.
• The principle of hydrogen bomb is also based on nuclear fusion. To start a fusion bomb very high
temperature is required. This is achieved by incorporating an atom bomb within the nuclear bomb.
• The source of energy of sun and other stars is nuclear fusion (or thermo-nuclear reactions).
However, the very high temperature and pressure required for fusion cannot be easily created and maintained and
as such it has not been possible as yet to use fusion for power generation.