|
Glossary
The PP chains
While on the Main Sequence
the primary nuclear reactions within the core of Sun
involve the conversion of
hydrogen (1H) to Helium (4He) via the
so-called "proton-proton" (or simply PP) chains
or via the CNO Cycle.
The PP Chains are:
-
(69% probable)
"PP I" chain
|
1H + 1H
|
converted to |
2H + e+ + nue
Note added 2002 Mar 10:
prior to this date the above product was
erroneously given as 1H
(Sorry for any confusion this might have caused)
|
|
|
2H + 1H
|
converted to |
3He + photon
|
|
3He + 3He
|
converted to |
4He + 2 1H
|
-
(30.7% probable)
"PP II" chain
|
3He + 4He
|
converted to |
7Be + photon
|
|
7Be + e-
|
converted to |
7Li + nue
Note added 2002 Mar 10:
prior to this date the above product was
erroneously given as 7He
(Sorry for any confusion this might have caused)
|
|
|
7Li + 1H
|
converted to |
2 4He
|
-
(0.3% probable)
"PP III" chain
|
3He + 4He
|
converted to |
7Be + photon
|
|
7Be + 1H
|
converted to |
8B + photon
|
|
8B
|
converted to |
8Be + e- + nue
|
|
8Be
|
converted to |
2 4He
|
(where e+ is a positron and nue
is an electron-neutrino).
|