The thermonuclear reaction of hydrogen inside the stars is taking place by a cycle of operations. The particular element which acts as catalyst is

Options

A. Nitrogen
B. Oxygen
C. helium
D. Carbon

Answer

D

Explanation

The carbon cycle for energy generation in stars is represented by the following sets of reactions:
`""_(6)^(12)C+""_(1)^(1)Hto""_(7)^(13)N+gamma+1.9MeV` ……….(i)
`""_(7)^(13)Nto""_(6)^(13)C+e^(+)+v+1.20MeV` ……..(ii)
`""_(6)^(13)C+""_(1)^(1)Hto""_(7)^(14)N+gamma+7.6 MeV`......(iii)
`""_(7)^(14)N+""_(1)^(1)Hto""_(8)^(15)O+gamma+7.39 MeV`.......(iv)
`""_(8)^(15)Oto""_(7)^(15)N+e^(+)+v+1.71MeV` ....(v)
`""_(7)^(15)N+""_(1)^(1)Hto""_(6)^(12)C+""_(2)^(4)He+4.99MeV` .........(vi)
In this set of reactions carbon is not destroyed but acts as a catalyst.