The proton-proton chain is the dominant fusion process in stars like the Sun, converting hydrogen into helium and releasing energy. It involves a series of nuclear reactions that produce positrons, neutrinos, and gamma rays.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
The proton-proton chain starts with the fusion of two protons to form a deuterium nucleus, a positron, and a neutrino.
The net result of the proton-proton chain is four hydrogen nuclei (protons) combining to form one helium-4 nucleus.
This fusion process releases energy because the mass of four protons is slightly greater than the mass of one helium-4 nucleus, with the difference converted into energy via E=mc^2.
Energy from the proton-proton chain powers stars like our Sun and contributes to their luminosity.
Neutrinos produced in this process travel out from the core of the star almost without interacting with other matter.