Use stream of consciousness to answer the following. Fusion reactions create the light elements that power the stars and produce virtually all elements in a process called nucleosynthesis. The Sun is a main-sequence star, and thus generates its energy by nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium. In its core, the Sun fuses 610 million metric tons of hydrogen each second and gives helium 606 million metric tons. The fusion of lighter elements in stars releases energy and the mass that always accompanies it. For example, in the fusion of two hydrogen nuclei to form helium, 0.7 % of the mass is carried away from the system in the form of kinetic energy of an alpha particle or other forms of energy, such as electromagnetic radiation.

Answer this question based on the passage: energy released by the sun is a result of?
The relevant information is: Fusion reactions create the light elements that power the stars and produce virtually all elements in a process called nucleosynthesis. The Sun is a main-sequence star, and thus generates its energy by nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium. Final answer: nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium.