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Nuclei
Nuclear Fusion: Energy of Stars
1 question from 1 paper, each with its answer.
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Concepts tested
- Fusion as source of solar energy
All Questions
2003 AIPMT 1 question
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Solar energy is mainly caused due to :The core of the sun is at a temperature of about $1.5 \times 10^7$ K. At such high temperatures, protons (hydrogen nuclei) fuse together to form helium (proton-proton cycle):
$4\,{}^{1}_{1}H \rightarrow {}^{4}_{2}He + 2e^{+} + 2\nu + 26.7\ \text{MeV}$
The mass of the helium nucleus formed is less than that of four protons, and the mass difference is released as energy ($E = \Delta mc^2$).
Chemical burning, fission of uranium or gravitational contraction cannot account for the enormous energy output of the sun over billions of years.
So solar energy is mainly due to fusion of protons during synthesis of heavier elements (helium).