Another series of nuclear reactions that can produce energy in the interior of stars is the cycle described below. This cycle is most efficient when the central temperature in a star is above 1.6 x107 K. Because the temperature at the center of the Sun is only 1.5 x 107 K, the following cycle produces less than 10% of the Sun’s energy. (a) A high - energy proton is absorbed by 12C. Another nucleus, A, is produced in the reaction, along with a gamma ray. Identify nucleus A. (b) Nucleus A decays through positron emission to form nucleus B. Identify nucleus B. (c) Nucleus B absorbs a proton to produce nucleus C and a gamma ray. Identify nucleus C . (d) Nucleus C absorbs a proton to produce nucleus D and a gamma ray. Identify nucleus D. (e) Nucleus D decays through positron emission to produce nucleus E. Identify nucleus E. (f ) Nucleus E absorbs a proton to produce nucleus F plus an alpha particle. What is nucleus F? Note: If nucleus F is not 12C— that is, the nucleus you started with — you have made an error and should review the sequence of events.

Modern Physics
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ISBN:9781111794378
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Chapter14: Nuclear Physics Applications
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 33P
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Another series of nuclear reactions that can produce energy in the interior of stars is the cycle described below. This cycle is most efficient when the central temperature in a star is above 1.6 x107 K. Because the temperature at the center of the Sun is only 1.5 x 107 K, the following cycle produces less than 10% of the Sun’s energy. (a) A high - energy proton is absorbed by 12C. Another nucleus, A, is produced in the reaction, along with a gamma ray. Identify nucleus A. (b) Nucleus A decays through positron emission to form nucleus B. Identify nucleus B. (c) Nucleus B absorbs a proton to produce nucleus C and a gamma ray. Identify nucleus C . (d) Nucleus C absorbs a proton to produce nucleus D and a gamma ray. Identify nucleus D. (e) Nucleus D decays through positron emission to produce nucleus E. Identify nucleus E. (f ) Nucleus E absorbs a proton to produce nucleus F plus an alpha particle. What is nucleus F? Note: If nucleus F is not 12C— that is, the nucleus you started with — you have made an error and should review the sequence of events.

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