What Causes Deuterium Fusion in Massive Planets?

AI Thread Summary
Deuterium fusion in massive planets begins at around 13 Jupiter masses due to the intense pressure and temperature generated by their gravitational fields. This environment provides the necessary conditions for atoms to overcome the Coulomb barrier, allowing fusion to occur. The discussion clarifies that the energy involved is indeed kinetic energy, contrary to some interpretations. The fusion process is a result of the combination of gravitational forces and the resulting thermal dynamics. Understanding these factors is crucial for studying the formation and evolution of massive planetary bodies.
NoobixCube
Messages
154
Reaction score
0
I have often seen it quoted that above the mass of 13 Jupiters, Deuterium fusion is able to begin. Is this because the gravitational field of the planetary body is strong enough to give the molecules enough kinetic energy to overcome the Coulomb barrier and fuse?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Yes, although not quite kinetic energy. The pressure and temperature push the atoms together and overcome the coloumb barrier.
 
Thanks!
 
NoobixCube said:
I have often seen it quoted that above the mass of 13 Jupiters, Deuterium fusion is able to begin. Is this because the gravitational field of the planetary body is strong enough to give the molecules enough kinetic energy to overcome the Coulomb barrier and fuse?

Yes, this is correct. It is not "not quite" kinetic energy, it is very much exactly kinetic energy.
 

Thread 'Potential biosignature found in Mars rock'

Publication: Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars Article: NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year Press conference The ~100 authors don't find a good way this could have formed without life, but also can't rule it out. Now that they have shared their findings with the larger community someone else might find an explanation - or maybe it was actually made by life.
View full post »

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Similar threads

B What is the relationship between brown dwarfs and giant gas planets?
Replies
31
Views
6K
What is the energy needed for Deuterium-Tritium fusion to occur?
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Why is Deuterium fusion so much easier than Hydrogen fusion?
Replies
4
Views
3K
I New Developments In The Search For Planet X
Replies
2
Views
3K
B How Does an IEC Fusion Reactor Work?
Replies
19
Views
5K
I Questions about the lifecycle of stars
2
Replies
77
Views
8K
Is Muon-Catalyzed fusion possible with room temperature, gaseous Deuterium?
Replies
28
Views
6K
Definition of a Planet (and other stuff)
Replies
6
Views
4K
The Planet That Should Not Exist
Replies
9
Views
5K
I How Big of an Object Orbiting Closer to the Sun Than Earth Could Be Overlooked?
Replies
17
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top