- #1
PaulaS
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1. The problem statement.
Calculate the energy generated per unit mass, if helium burning produces equal amounts (mass fractions) of carbon and oxygen.
mH = 1.672621581 x 10^-27 kg
2. The attempt at a solution
Helium burning produces carbon according to the following reaction:
3He -> C [E(released) = 7.275 MeV]
Helium burning produces oxygen according to the following reactions:
3HE -> C [E(released) = 7.275 MeV]
He + C -> O [E(released) = 7.162 MeV]
______________________________________________ overall reaction for He:
4He -> O [E(released) = 14.437 MeV]
equal mass fractions => X(C) = X(O)
=> m(C)/m(total) = m(O)/m(total)
And then? I have no idea how to continue the exercise. Can anyone provide me with a hint?
Thanks
Calculate the energy generated per unit mass, if helium burning produces equal amounts (mass fractions) of carbon and oxygen.
mH = 1.672621581 x 10^-27 kg
2. The attempt at a solution
Helium burning produces carbon according to the following reaction:
3He -> C [E(released) = 7.275 MeV]
Helium burning produces oxygen according to the following reactions:
3HE -> C [E(released) = 7.275 MeV]
He + C -> O [E(released) = 7.162 MeV]
______________________________________________ overall reaction for He:
4He -> O [E(released) = 14.437 MeV]
equal mass fractions => X(C) = X(O)
=> m(C)/m(total) = m(O)/m(total)
And then? I have no idea how to continue the exercise. Can anyone provide me with a hint?
Thanks
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