IB Physics SL E.5.2 Fusion in Stars

Practise balancing stellar fusion reactions and calculating released energy from mass difference or binding-energy increase while relating fusion stages to available fuel.

Exam points

balance nucleon number and charge in hydrogen-fusion or later stellar reaction chains
calculate fusion energy from reactant-product mass difference using E = Δmc²
explain energy release because product nuclei have greater binding energy per nucleon

[Maximum number: 1]

Three stars A, B and C are labelled on the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram. $L_{\odot}$ is the Luminosity of the sun.

Figure for Question E.5.2—Fusion in stars question 1 — IB Physics SL

State the main element that is undergoing nuclear fusion in star C .

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E.5.2—Fusion in stars question 1