What is the main component of the Sun?

The main component of the Sun is hydrogen, which constitutes about 74% of its mass. In the core of the Sun, hydrogen atoms undergo nuclear fusion, where they are converted into helium, releasing tremendous amounts of energy in the process. This energy is what powers the Sun and emits light and heat across the solar system.

Hydrogen's abundance in the Sun is critical for its existence as a main-sequence star, and it serves as the fundamental fuel for the ongoing nuclear reactions that sustain the Sun's life cycle. While helium is a significant product of these reactions, it is not the primary constituent. Other elements like carbon and oxygen are present in much smaller quantities and are not central to the Sun's overall composition or functioning.