The sun generates its energy through nuclear fusion, making helium from hydrogen. The main process by which this happens, called the proton-proton chain, goes as follows:Two protons come together to create deuterium, a positron, a neutrino, and energy: p + p ⟶ D + e+ + ν + energyThe deuterium fuses with another proton to make 3He: D + p ⟶ 3He + energyFianlly, 4He is produced by fusing two 3He nuclei together: 3He + 3He ⟶ 4He + p + p + energyWhat is the total energy released during the creation of one 4He nucleus? Give your answer in MeV, and remember that you need to make two 3He nuclei in the process. Be sure to use at least five significant figures for your masses, but your final answer should have three or four sig figs.

Energy Released in Proton-Proton Chain:To find the total energy released during the creation of one…

Answered: The sun generates its energy through…

University Physics Volume 3

17th Edition

ISBN:9781938168185

Author:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny

Publisher:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny

Chapter11: Particle Physics And Cosmology

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 60P: Suppose you are designing a proton decay experiment and you can detect 50 percent of the proton...

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Question

The sun generates its energy through nuclear fusion, making helium from hydrogen. The main process by which this happens, called the proton-proton chain, goes as follows:

Two protons come together to create deuterium, a positron, a neutrino, and energy: p + p ⟶ D + e⁺ + ν + energy
The deuterium fuses with another proton to make ³He: D + p ⟶ ³He + energy
Fianlly, ⁴He is produced by fusing two ³He nuclei together: ³He + ³He ⟶ ⁴He + p + p + energy

What is the total energy released during the creation of one ⁴He nucleus? Give your answer in MeV, and remember that you need to make two ³He nuclei in the process. Be sure to use at least five significant figures for your masses, but your final answer should have three or four sig figs.

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