The Sun is powered by releasing hydrogen to helium. Through either the proton-proton chain or the CNO cycle, the basic reaction is 4 1H morph into 1 4He, releasing nuclear binding energy (and losing mass) in the process. The mass of one proton 1H is 1.6726 x 10-24 gm and the mass of one helium nucleus 4He is 6.6447 x 10-24 gm. What is the mass difference in gm between 4 protons and one helium nucleus? Calculate the ratio of the mass difference to the original mass of the 4 protons as a

Modern Physics
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Chapter14: Nuclear Physics Applications
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The Sun is powered by releasing hydrogen to helium. Through either the proton-proton chain or the CNO cycle, the basic reaction is 4 1H morph into 1 4He, releasing nuclear binding energy (and losing mass) in the process. The mass of one proton 1H is 1.6726 x 10-24 gm and the mass of one helium nucleus 4He is 6.6447 x 10-24 gm.

What is the mass difference in gm between 4 protons and one helium nucleus? Calculate the ratio of the mass difference to the original mass of the 4 protons as a comparison.

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