# Proton fusion, Beta + decay

## Homework Statement

Consider;
$$p+p \rightarrow d + e^+ + \nu_e$$

Assume the binding energy of deuteron is 2.2MeV, calculate the maximum energy that the positron can have.

## Homework Equations

$m_p=938.28MeV/c^2$
$m_n=939.566MeV/c^2$
$m_d=1875.6MeV/c^2$

## The Attempt at a Solution

Assuming the neutrino was at rest after the colision for maximum positron energy.

So basically two process's go on, the $\beta^+$ decay of one of the protons, then the fusion of the neutron and remaining proton.

$$(1) \quad p \rightarrow n + e^+ +\nu_e$$
$$(2) \quad p+n \rightarrow d$$

The Q value of the decay:
$Q=(m_p)c^2-(m_n)c^2=-1.286MeV$
this is the minimum energy the proton would need to decay to a neutron?

so the energy i got was;
$$T_{e^+}=2.2-1.286=0.914MeV$$
where the 2.2 is the energy released from (2)?

But im not sure i think this is wrong, but dont quite understand.

mfb
Mentor
Fusion plus decay is one single process. If you want to split it into parts (which does not help here), fusion would have to happen first, otherwise the decay could not happen at all.

Matt atkinson
Ah thank you, I just don't quite understand where to begin, would I need to find the energy from the decay of the bound protons, to the bound neutron and proton?

mfb
Mentor
All you need is the binding energy of 2.2 MeV and particle masses for kinematics. Neglect the initial kinetic energy of the protons, and find a way to distribute the 2.2 MeV over the reaction products for the maximal positron energy.

Oh I see, so treat it as a relativistic kinematic problem;

Energy conservation;
$$Q=\frac{1}{2}m_d v_d^2+\gamma_{e^+} m_{e^+} v_{e^+}$$
Because the deuteron mass would be larger than the portion it would get from 2.2MeV.

Conservation of momentum;
$$m_d v_d = m_{e^+}v_{e^+}$$

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mfb
Mentor
Check the formula for the positron energy.
Apart from that, the approach is right.

Oh yes it's $c^2$ not $v^2$ thank you!

Okay so I got;

$$E_{e^+}=Q-\frac{m_{e^+}^2v_{e^+}^2}{2m_d}$$

where i used momentum conservation to substitute for $v_d$, I'm not sure how to get the velocity of the positron or how to get rid of it in the equation.

I could substitute for the momentum using $E^2=(pc)^2+(mc^2)^2$ but that gives a quadratic, where i could take the larger solution for the total energy of the positron?

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mfb
Mentor
I could substitute for the momentum using $E^2=(pc)^2+(mc^2)^2$ but that gives a quadratic, where i could take the larger solution for the total energy of the positron?
Right (I guess one solution will be negative anyway),

Thank you, got a reasonable solution.

Im just curious do you think it would've been okay to say that the second term for the equation for $E_{e^+}$ would be much less than Q and therefore;

$$E_{e^+} \approx Q$$

Because the actual solution i got was $E_{e^+} = 2.199MeV$

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mfb
Mentor
It is certainly a reasonable approximation if you don't care about keV precision, but then the question is too easy.

Matt atkinson
Ah yes that makes sense always better to be precise when appropriate. Thank you for your help it was much appreciated :)