Question

Equation 32He+32He→42He+211H is the nuclear reaction responsible for much of the helium-4 production in our Sun. How much energy is released in this reaction? Express your answer to five significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Answer 1

Nuclear reaction equation responsible for much of the helium-4 production in our Sun is:

³He₂ + ³He₂  → ⁴He₂ + 2 ¹H₁

We know the mass of each atom involved in the equation as:

Mass of  ³He₂ = 5.0082 x10^-27 Kg,

Mass of  ⁴He₂ = 6.64648 x10^-27 Kg and,

Mass of ¹H₁ = 1.6735 x10^-27 Kg

So by the energy-mass balance formula E = mc² , we can find the energy released in the reaction.

here c is the velocity of light which is equal to 2.997925 x 10 ⁸ m/s.

Total mass on the reactant side is = 5.0082 x10^-27 Kg + 5.0082 x10^-27 Kg = 10.0164x10^-27 Kg

Total mass on the product side is = 6.64648 x10^-27 Kg + 2 x1.6735 x10^-27 Kg = 9.99348 x10^-27 Kg

Mass deficit = mass of reactants - mass of products = 10.0164x10^-27 -  9.99348 x10^-27 Kg = 0.02292 x10^-27 Kg

Energy released in the reaction = Mass deficit x c²

= 0.02292 x10^-27 Kg x (2.997925 x 10 ⁸ m/s)²

= 0.2059947447 x 10^-11 Kg-m²/s²

=2.0599 x 10^-12 Kg-m²/s²