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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
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+ + + 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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