Benchmark 4G The Physical Setting: Forces of Nature

Benchmark 4G
The Physical Setting: Forces of Nature
Grades 9-12, page 97

The forces that hold the nucleus of an atom together are much stronger than the electromagnetic force. That is why such great amounts of energy are released from the nuclear reactions in the sun and other stars.

NSES Content Standard B
Physical Science: Structure of atoms
Grades 9-12, page 178
The nuclear forces that hold the nucleus of an atom together, at nuclear distances, are usually stronger than the electric forces that would make it fly apart. Nuclear reactions convert a fraction of the mass of interacting particles into energy, and they can release much greater amounts of energy than atomic interactions. Fission is the splitting of a large nucleus into smaller pieces. Fusion is the joining of two nuclei at extremely high temperature and pressure, and is the process responsible for the energy of the sun and other stars.

NSES Content Standard D
Earth and Space Science: Origin and evolution of the universe
Grades 9-12, page 190
Stars produce energy from nuclear reactions, primarily the fusion of hydrogen to form helium. These and other processes in stars have lead to the formation of all the other elements.