Consider proton-proton (pp) fusion. (a) Explain what the Coulomb barrier is in relation to pp fusion. (b) The Coulomb ba
Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 6:12 am
Consider proton-proton (pp) fusion.
(a) Explain what the Coulomb barrier is in relation to pp
fusion.
(b) The Coulomb barrier height for (pp) fusion is VC ≈ 0.2 MeV. To
have successful fusion on earth it is said that we need a
temperature of at least 100 million degrees. How is the fusion
probability determined? What quantum mechanical phenomena play a
crucial role?
(c) The temperature in the interior of the sun is around T = 1.5 ·
107 K.This means that kBT /VC << 1. Why can we have fusion in
the sun at this lower temperature?
(a) Explain what the Coulomb barrier is in relation to pp
fusion.
(b) The Coulomb barrier height for (pp) fusion is VC ≈ 0.2 MeV. To
have successful fusion on earth it is said that we need a
temperature of at least 100 million degrees. How is the fusion
probability determined? What quantum mechanical phenomena play a
crucial role?
(c) The temperature in the interior of the sun is around T = 1.5 ·
107 K.This means that kBT /VC << 1. Why can we have fusion in
the sun at this lower temperature?