Q of p+p Reaction: Understanding Energy Release

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the energy release in the proton-proton reaction leading to the formation of a deuteron, positron, and neutrino. Participants are exploring the mass-energy calculations involved in this nuclear reaction.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the energy released using mass values but expresses confusion over the negative result. Some participants question the mass values used and the assumptions behind the calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in clarifying the mass of the deuteron and discussing resources for finding accurate mass data. Guidance has been offered regarding where to find relevant information, but no consensus on the calculations has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of constraints related to available data sources, such as course books and online resources, which may affect the calculations. The original poster's understanding of binding energy and mass differences is also under scrutiny.

Ene Dene
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p+p -> deutron+positron+neutrino(e)

The question is how much energy is released?

[tex]Q=(m_{p}+m_{p})-(m_{d}+m_{e^+}+0.26MeV)=(938+938)MeV-(938+939+0.51+0.26)MeV<0[/tex]

So I don't understand how can energy be relesed? I found that Q for that reaction is 1.442MeV. What am I doing wrong?
 
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Note that md < mp + mn
 
What is the mass of deutron then? How can I calculate it, or where can I find that data?
 
You should have data in your course book, and also in tables that you may use on exams etc. Here is some good internet rescourses:

http://nucleardata.nuclear.lu.se/database/masses/

The mass of the deutron is [tex]m_n + m_p - E_{Binding}[/tex]
 
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Thank you.
 

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