Solved: Another series of nuclear reactions that can

Chapter 30, Problem 30.1

(choose chapter or problem)

Another series of nuclear reactions that can produce energy in the interior of stars is the cycle described below. This cycle is most effi cient when the central temperature in a star is above 1.6 _ 107 K. Because the temperature at the center of the Sun is only 1.5 _ 107 K, the following cycle produces less than 10% of the Suns 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 withyou have made an error and should review the sequence of events.