When a star has exhausted its hydrogen fuel, it may fuse other nuclear fuels. At

Question

When a star has exhausted its hydrogen fuel, it may fuse other nuclear fuels. At temperatures above 1.0 108 K, helium fusion can occur. Write the equation for the following processes. (a) Two alpha particles fuse to produce a nucleus A and a gamma ray. What is nucleus A? (Enter the mass number in the first raised box, the atomic number in the second lower box, and the element, with charge if necessary, in the third box.) (b) Nucleus A absorbs an alpha particle to produce a nucleus "B" and a gamma ray. What is nucleus B? (Enter your answer using the same format as above.) (c) Find the total energy (Q) released in the reactions given in parts (a) and (b). Note: the mass of _4^8 text(Be) = 8.005 305u. MeV

Explanation / Answer

1. 4He2 + 4He2 = 8 Be 4
Nucleus A = Be
2. 8Be4 + 4He2 12C6   
Nucleus B = C
3. Mass deficit of raction 1 = 2*6.6444*10^-27 - 8.005305*1.66*10^(-27) + 8.005305*1.66*10^(-27) + 6.6444*10^-27 - 0.199264*10^-27 = 19.7339*10^-27 kg
Energy produced = mc^2 = 17.76*10^-10 J

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