Question

The diagram shows the three steps of the fusion process in the Sun.




In what order do the steps occur?


A.X, Y, Z

B.Y, X, Z

C.Z, Y, X

D.Z, X, Y

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Z, X, Y

Explanation:

Step 1: Z

Within the Sun two protons fuse together and when this proton-proton pair breaks apart one proton transform into neutron due to weak nuclear force. Along with transformation of neutron, a positron also formed and proton-neutron pair sometimes form deuterium.

Step 2: X

Collision of third proton takes place with deuterium and this collision results in formation of Helium-3 along with gamma rays. These gamma rays are also released as sunlight.

Step 3: Y

Collision of two Helium-3 nuclei takes place which results in creation of Helium-4.

Answer 2

Answer:

D. Z, X, Y

Hydrogen fusion in the sun occurs in the following three steps:

1. Fusion of Hydrogen into Deuterium.

Here two protons collide, one proton turns into a neutron emitting an antielectron and a neutrino.

The remaining proton is bound to the neutron forming a heavy Hydrogen (Deuterium) nucleus while the antielectron just produced will annihilate with an electron generating two high-energy photons.

2. The Formation of Helium-3

A proton is captured by a nucleus of Deuterium emitting a photon and forming then a 3He nucleus.

3. The Recombination of Two Helium-3 Into One Nucleus of Helium With The Emission of Two Protons

Note that steps 1 and 2 each happen twice for each time step 3 occurs. In this process, the total net energy released is up to 26 MeV.

I got this from:

"The Hydrogen Fusion Process - Windows to the Universe" https://www.windows2universe.org/?page=/sun/Solar_interior/Nuclear_Reactions/Fusion/Fusion_in_stars/H_fusion.html&edu=high#:~:text=The%20basic%20Hydrogen%20fusion%20cycle%20involves%20four%20Hydrogen,a%20neutron%20emitting%20an%20antielectron%20and%20a%20neutrino.

I hope this helps. Have a great day or night!