What is this notation? I haven't seen it before

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the notation X5(p,α)X6, which is encountered in a nuclear physics context. Participants are trying to understand the meaning of this notation, particularly in relation to nuclear reactions and the carbon cycle occurring in the Sun.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes X5 as the reactant nucleus and X6 as the product nucleus, suggesting that the alpha symbol indicates alpha decay.
  • Another participant explains that the notation is shorthand for a nuclear reaction, providing a reference link for further reading.
  • A later reply reiterates the explanation of the notation as T (P,x) R, defining it as Target nucleus + Projectile → x (emitted particle) + Residual nucleus.
  • One participant summarizes the reaction as X5 + proton -> alpha particle + X6.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the interpretation of the notation as a shorthand for a nuclear reaction, but there is no consensus on the specific implications or details of the reaction itself.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the specific meaning of 'p' in the notation or the implications of the reaction in the context of the carbon cycle.

Alucard
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X5(p,α)X6

This is an equation/part of a question in my nuclear physics unit, where X5 represents the reactant nucleus and X6 is the product nucleus. The alpha symbol is most likely alpha decay, but I have no idea what it means in conjunction with 'p' like that. The rest of the question is:
In the carbon cycle that occurs on the Sun, He-4 is built from four protons and
C-12. First, C-12 absorbs a proton to form a nucleus, X1. Then X1 decays by
positron emission to X2, which then absorbs a proton to become X3, which itself
absorbs a proton to become X4. X4 then decays to X5 by positron decay and X5
reacts via: X5(p,α)X6
It's from the Walding Physics textbook if anyone has it.
 
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Alucard said:
X5(p,α)X6

This is an equation/part of a question in my nuclear physics unit, where X5 represents the reactant nucleus and X6 is the product nucleus. The alpha symbol is most likely alpha decay, but I have no idea what it means in conjunction with 'p' like that. The rest of the question is:
In the carbon cycle that occurs on the Sun, He-4 is built from four protons and
C-12. First, C-12 absorbs a proton to form a nucleus, X1. Then X1 decays by
positron emission to X2, which then absorbs a proton to become X3, which itself
absorbs a proton to become X4. X4 then decays to X5 by positron decay and X5
reacts via: X5(p,α)X6
It's from the Walding Physics textbook if anyone has it.
It's a shorthand form for a nuclear reaction. There's an explanation here on page 2:

http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ch374/ch418518/Chapter 10 NUCLEAR REACTIONS.pdf

It's basically T (P,x) R which is short for:

Target nucleus + Projectile → x (emitted particle) + Residual nucleus
 
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X5(p,α)X6

X5 + proton -> alpha particle + X6
 
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