IB Physics E5 Notes

Whilst fission is an important source of energy production in the world, due to its significant disadvantages there is much research focusing on fusion instead. This is a process that naturally occurs in the core of stars, causing their large energy emissions. The reaction that stars undergo is:

$\mathrm{4}_{1}^{1}H \to \mathrm{}_{2}^{4}He + \mathrm{2}_{1}^{0}e^{+} + 2 \nu$

As part of fusion, mass is lost to produce energy at a high rate, about 4 x 10⁹ kg s^-1 in the Sun. Eventually, this energy makes its way through the different layers of the star out to the surface. Here, the outward radiation generates massive amounts of energy every second to shine.