What Causes Deuterium Fusion in Massive Planets?

[NoobixCube]

I have often seen it quoted that above the mass of 13 Jupiters, Deuterium fusion is able to begin. Is this because the gravitational field of the planetary body is strong enough to give the molecules enough kinetic energy to overcome the Coulomb barrier and fuse?

 

[mgb_phys]

Yes, although not quite kinetic energy. The pressure and temperature push the atoms together and overcome the coloumb barrier.

 

[NoobixCube]

Thanks!

 

[petrichor]

I have often seen it quoted that above the mass of 13 Jupiters, Deuterium fusion is able to begin. Is this because the gravitational field of the planetary body is strong enough to give the molecules enough kinetic energy to overcome the Coulomb barrier and fuse?

Yes, this is correct. It is not "not quite" kinetic energy, it is very much exactly kinetic energy.