# Thermonuclear fusion in the Sun

rahulrathod
Q. Our present theory of the sun and the mechanism of
thermonuclear fusion inside it predicts that the following reactions
occur in the sun.
1H + 1H --> 2H + antielectron + neutrino
1H + 1H --> 2H + antielectron + neutrino
electron + antielectron --> photon + photon
electron + antielectron --> photon + photon
2H + 1H --> 3He + photon
2H + 1H --> 3He + photon
3He + 3He --> 4He + 1H+ 1H
A problem arises in this theory due to one of its calculated
count of something not matching with the observational counting. So
what is that ‘something’ and what is the relation between the
prediction and observation (i.e. greater or smaller)?

Staff Emeritus
Q. Our present theory of the sun and the mechanism of
thermonuclear fusion inside it predicts that the following reactions
occur in the sun.
1H + 1H --> 2H + antielectron + neutrino
1H + 1H --> 2H + antielectron + neutrino
electron + antielectron --> photon + photon
electron + antielectron --> photon + photon
2H + 1H --> 3He + photon
2H + 1H --> 3He + photon
3He + 3He --> 4He + 1H+ 1H
A problem arises in this theory due to one of its calculated
count of something not matching with the observational counting. So
what is that ‘something’ and what is the relation between the
prediction and observation (i.e. greater or smaller)?
One is describing the proton-proton chain reaction.
http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/energy/ppchain.html

Please explain the statement "A problem arises in this theory due to one of its calculated count of something not matching with the observational counting." What is the observation to which one is referring?

Much of the fusion occurs in the core of the sun. The gamma radiation must migrate outward and in the process, photons undergo Compton scattering.

The fact that p+p fusion has such as low cross-section or probability is the reason that a star can exist for 100 of millions or billions of years.

torquil
Please explain the statement "A problem arises in this theory due to one of its calculated count of something not matching with the observational counting." What is the observation to which one is referring?

I'm guessing it refers to solar neutrino emissions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_neutrino_problem" [Broken]

Last edited by a moderator:
Staff Emeritus