The sun generates its energy through nuclear fusion, making helium from hydrogen. The main process by which this happens, called the proton-proton chain, goes as follows: •Two protons come together to create deuterium, a positron, a neutrino, and energy: p + p→D+e++v+ energy The deuterium fuses with another proton to make ³He: D + p³He + energy Fianlly, 4He is produced by fusing two 3He nuclei together: ³He + ³He 4He+p+p+ energy What is the total energy released during the creation of one 4He nucleus? Give your answer in MeV, and remember that you need to make two 3He nuclei in the process. Be sure to use at least five significant figures for your masses, but your final answer should have three or four sig figs.

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter31: Particle Physics
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 56P
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question
Question 1
The sun generates its energy through nuclear fusion, making helium from hydrogen. The main process by which this happens, called the proton-proton chain, goes as follows:
• Two protons come together to create deuterium, a positron, a neutrino, and energy: p + p→D+e++v+ energy
• The deuterium fuses with another proton to make ³He: D + p→→ ³He + energy
• Fianlly, 4He is produced by fusing two ³He nuclei together: ³He + 3 He→ 4He+p+p+ energy
What is the total energy released during the creation of one 4He nucleus? Give your answer in MeV, and remember that you need to make two ³He nuclei in the process. Be sure to use at least
five significant figures for your masses, but your final answer should have three or four sig figs.
Question 2
Nuclear medicine often uses radioactive samples as a tracer to monitor processes inside the body. Suppose a nuclear reactor makes a certain isotope sample with an initial activity of 152
mci, and the sample gets delviered to a hospital 16.5 hours later, when its activity has become 72.6 mCi. Luckily, the sample remains usable until its activity drops below 17.2 mCi. How long
after the delivery is this sample usable?
Transcribed Image Text:Question 1 The sun generates its energy through nuclear fusion, making helium from hydrogen. The main process by which this happens, called the proton-proton chain, goes as follows: • Two protons come together to create deuterium, a positron, a neutrino, and energy: p + p→D+e++v+ energy • The deuterium fuses with another proton to make ³He: D + p→→ ³He + energy • Fianlly, 4He is produced by fusing two ³He nuclei together: ³He + 3 He→ 4He+p+p+ energy What is the total energy released during the creation of one 4He nucleus? Give your answer in MeV, and remember that you need to make two ³He nuclei in the process. Be sure to use at least five significant figures for your masses, but your final answer should have three or four sig figs. Question 2 Nuclear medicine often uses radioactive samples as a tracer to monitor processes inside the body. Suppose a nuclear reactor makes a certain isotope sample with an initial activity of 152 mci, and the sample gets delviered to a hospital 16.5 hours later, when its activity has become 72.6 mCi. Luckily, the sample remains usable until its activity drops below 17.2 mCi. How long after the delivery is this sample usable?
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps with 4 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Radioactive decay
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:
9781133104261
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Astronomy
Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168284
Author:
Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher:
OpenStax
University Physics Volume 3
University Physics Volume 3
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168185
Author:
William Moebs, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:
OpenStax
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781285737027
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168000
Author:
Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
Publisher:
OpenStax College