At room temperature, a brass ball easily passes through the brass ring. Next, the ball is heated to a higher temperature. The heated ball does not fit through the ring
Why does the heated ball not pass through the ring?

A. Heating increases the number of particles that make up the ball.

B. Heating increases the size of the particles that make up the ball.

C. Heating increases the mass of the particles that make up the ball.

D. Heating increases the distance between particles that make up the ball.

neutrons are in the middle of the atom and the electrons, which are much smaller.

answer is: nuclear fusion produces elements that are heavier than helium.

nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.  

for example, fusion of hydrogen atoms at the sun.  

this fusion nuclear reaction is in the inner core of the sun and hydrogen (atomic number 1) is conveted into helium (atomic number 2).  

the inner core is the central region of the sun and all solar energy is produced in the core by nuclear fusion.