Looking for the complete fusion process inside our Sun.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the detailed thermonuclear fusion processes occurring in the Sun, specifically the Proton-Proton chain and the CNO cycle. The primary fusion steps include H + H -> He2, the rare decay of He2 into Deuterium and a positron, Deuterium + H -> He3, and He3 + He3 -> He4 + 2H. The conversation highlights that while the Proton-Proton chain dominates in stars like the Sun, the CNO cycle becomes significant in stars with masses between 1.4 solar masses and higher. For comprehensive understanding, references to Wikipedia articles on these processes are provided.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermonuclear fusion processes
  • Familiarity with the Proton-Proton chain reaction
  • Knowledge of the CNO cycle in stellar environments
  • Basic concepts of stellar mass and its impact on fusion
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the detailed mechanisms of the Proton-Proton chain reaction
  • Study the CNO cycle and its role in higher mass stars
  • Explore the implications of stellar mass on fusion processes
  • Read academic papers on stellar nucleosynthesis
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students of stellar physics seeking to deepen their understanding of nuclear fusion processes in stars, particularly in relation to the Sun and similar celestial bodies.

Dyatlov
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Hello. I want to know the full in-detail process which happends inside our Sun's thermo-nuclear core.
As far as I know the steps in the H - He fusion process are:
1) H+H -> He2
2) He2 can rarely decay (Beta plus) into Deterium and a positron
3) If so Deterium + H -> He3
4) He3 + He3 -> He4 + 2H.
Is this the full and detailed fusion map inside a star between 0.5 and 1.4 solar masses?
Also a paper or article on this would greatly be appreciated.
Cheers!
 
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The Wikipedia articles are pretty good. The dominant fusion process in the sun in the Proton-Proton chain, described in Wikipedia at this link. It is somewhat more complicated than you described, since there are multiple possibilities for the D and He3 to fuse. The CNO cycle, described at this link is responsible for a small amount of the fusion energy in the sun, but becomes more important at higher masses. At 1.4 solar masses, for example, the CNO process dominates.
 
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Dyatlov said:
Hello. I want to know the full in-detail process which happends inside our Sun's thermo-nuclear core.
As far as I know the steps in the H - He fusion process are:
1) H+H -> He2
2) He2 can rarely decay (Beta plus) into Deterium and a positron
3) If so Deterium + H -> He3
4) He3 + He3 -> He4 + 2H.
Is this the full and detailed fusion map inside a star between 0.5 and 1.4 solar masses?
Also a paper or article on this would greatly be appreciated.
Cheers!

You can check out this article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton–proton_chain_reaction

and the references included in it.

The proton-proton chain of reactions is a little more complicated than you describe.
 

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