Proton Proton Annihilation: The Energy Behind Fusion

In summary, when two protons are compressed into each other, they will not annihilate due to baryon number conservation. The process of proton-proton fusion requires a high temperature and energy, but can occur through a tunnelling effect. The resulting energy released is in the form of gamma rays, and some may be carried away by short-lived byproducts. Man-made fusion reactors use deuterium and tritium, which fuse more readily.
  • #1
karoly kehrer
1
0
How much force (<10kN) is needed to compress two protons into each other? When it happens, when they are annihilated, the energy of the released gamma rays E=Mp *c^2 ? or some are carried away by short-lived byproducts?

Regards Karoly
 
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  • #2
Two protons cannot annihilate, that would violate baryon number conservation.
 
  • #3
karoly kehrer said:
How much force (<10kN) is needed to compress two protons into each other? When it happens, when they are annihilated, the energy of the released gamma rays E=Mp *c^2 ? or some are carried away by short-lived byproducts?

Regards Karoly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton–proton_chain_reaction

Above will help.
 
  • #4
It's a matter of Energy rather than Force in discussions about this sort of collision / fusion. This link is short and says it in a nutshell. It was originally thought that protpn proton fusion would need too high a temperature (i.e. high enough energies) for it to happen in a normal Star. There has to be a tunnelling effect for it to happen and to form deuterium (along with other products). It is a very rare occurrence, which is why man-made fusion reactors use 'ready made' deuterium and tritium, which fuse more readily.
 

1. What is proton proton annihilation?

Proton proton annihilation is a process in which two protons collide and their energy is converted into other particles, such as photons or muons.

2. What is the significance of proton proton annihilation?

Proton proton annihilation is an important process in particle physics as it allows scientists to study the fundamental properties of protons and other particles involved in the annihilation.

3. How does proton proton annihilation occur?

In proton proton annihilation, the two protons collide at high energies, resulting in the creation of a large number of particles, which then decay into other particles. The energy released in this process is governed by the principles of conservation of energy and mass.

4. What is the role of proton proton annihilation in the formation of the universe?

Proton proton annihilation played a crucial role in the early stages of the universe's formation. It is believed that in the first few seconds after the Big Bang, protons and antiprotons were annihilating each other, resulting in the creation of other particles and the eventual formation of matter as we know it.

5. How is proton proton annihilation studied in experiments?

To study proton proton annihilation, scientists use particle accelerators to collide protons at high energies. The resulting particles and their properties are then measured and analyzed to gain a better understanding of the process.

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