PCS 181 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Triple-Alpha Process, Giant Star, Carbon-Burning Process
7 May 2015
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What is the daughter product of hydrogen fusion? helium. When a star uses up its hydrogen in the core, no more nuclear reactions or radiation pressure outwards gravity wins, gravity contracts the star until it gets hotter and hotter and reaches. At this point, hydrogen and helium can fuse. Core runs low on hydrogen fuel and contracts dramatically. Core contraction temperature rises in core. At t = 100x106 k, or t = 1x108 k, or t = 100 million k. Helium-based nuclear fusion reactions take place in the core: helium comes into contact within 10-15 m of other helium, this now supports the star for the nal 10% of its life. The daughter product from hydrogen is helium; as you compress the core, it heats up and. 4he + 4he 8be + (beryllium and radiation burst) Note that 3he nuclei fuse to form one c nucleus a small amount of mass is converted to energy and released.
