The nuclear reaction that powers the sun is the fusion of four protons into a helium nucleus The process involves several steps, but the net reaction is simply 4p 4 He energy The mass of a proton, to four significant figures, is 1 673 10 27 kg, and the mass of a helium nucleus is known to be 6 644 ...

Model Mass and energy are equivalent and given by Equation 3643 Solve a The mass ...

The nuclear reaction that powers the sun is the fusion of four protons into a helium nucleus.

Question:

The nuclear reaction that powers the sun is the fusion of four protons into a helium nucleus. The process involves several steps, but the net reaction is simply 4p → ⁴He + energy. The mass of a proton, to four significant figures, is 1.673 × 10^-27 kg, and the mass of a helium nucleus is known to be 6.644 × 10^-27 kg.
a. How much energy is released in each fusion?
b. What fraction of the initial rest mass energy is this energy?