Do All Stars Rely on Quantum Tunneling for Fusion?

In summary, all stars rely on quantum tunneling for fusion and high mass stars do not break the Coulomb barrier without tunneling. However, in high mass stars, the core density is so high that it affects the mean separation of nuclei and the size of the Coulomb barrier. To reach a density within the range of the strong nuclear force, the core would need to be extremely dense and the star would have to be very massive. It is currently unknown if there are any fusing stars that massive.
  • #1
deadscientist
29
0
Hello fellow scientists,
Do all stars rely on quantum tunneling for fusion or do high mass stars break the Coulomb barrier without tunneling? Thanks
 
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  • #2
all stars depend on Tunneling to start Nuclear fusion. I have not come across any star in my course where we talked about breaking the coulomb barrier
 
  • #3
You can probably answer your own question.
What is it that gives rise to the coulomb barrier?

In high mass stars, the core density is very high - what does that do to the mean separation of nuclei?
What does than mean for the size of the coulomb barrier?

How dense would the core need to be for the mean separation to be within the range of the strong nuclear force?
How massive would a star have to be to get that dense?
Are there any fusing stars that massive?
 

What is fusion?

Fusion is a reaction that occurs when two or more atomic nuclei collide and combine to form a heavier nucleus. This process releases a large amount of energy, which is what powers the sun and other stars.

How does fusion work?

Fusion occurs when two atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. This process requires extremely high temperatures and pressures, which can be achieved through powerful lasers or magnetic fields. As the nuclei collide, they overcome their repulsive forces and fuse together, releasing energy in the form of heat and light.

What is quantum tunneling?

Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon in quantum mechanics where a particle can pass through a potential barrier even though it does not have enough energy to do so. This is possible due to the probabilistic nature of quantum particles, which allows them to exist in multiple states simultaneously.

How is quantum tunneling related to fusion?

In fusion reactions, quantum tunneling is responsible for allowing particles to overcome the repulsive forces between them and fuse together. This is possible because of the probabilistic nature of quantum particles, which allows them to tunnel through the potential barrier and combine to form a heavier nucleus.

What are the potential applications of fusion and quantum tunneling?

Fusion has the potential to be a clean and virtually limitless source of energy, which could greatly benefit society. Quantum tunneling has applications in various fields such as quantum computing, tunneling microscopy, and radiation detection. Further research and development in these areas could lead to significant advancements in technology.

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