Astronomy quiz question: temperature and fusion

Astronomy 210 Quiz 6, fall semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Fusion requires high temperatures in order for nuclei to move quickly enough to:
(A) overcome gravity.
(B) overcome repulsion.
(C) create convection currents.
(D) break heavy elements apart.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (B)

Atomic nuclei repel each other due to their constituent protons; this repulsion can only be overcome when the nuclei approach each other rapidly enough at temperatures much higher than room temperature.

Note that response (D) refers to nuclear fission.

Section 70158
Exam code: quiz06sPp7
(A) : 15 students
(B) : 24 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 0 students

Success level: 60% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.42

Section 70160
Exam code: quiz06nb3R
(A) : 7 students
(B) : 15 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 1 student

Success level: 58% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.63