Physics

Problem

In stellar interiors, three helium nuclei can combine to form a carbon nucleus through the so-called triple-alpha process. a. (a) Write the nuclear equation representing the formation of

_{6}^{12}\!C

from three

_{2}^{4}\!He

nuclei. b. (b) Using

m({}_2^{4}\!He)=4.002603\,\text u

m({}_6^{12}\!C)=12.000000\,\text u

and

1\,\text u = 931.5\,\text{MeV}/c^2

, compute the total energy released in the overall reaction. c. (c) Find the energy released per nucleon and compare it with the maximum binding energy per nucleon of about

8.75\,\text{MeV}

. d. (d) Explain in two points why this reaction proceeds only at the extremely high core temperatures found in certain stars.

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