Question

How many helium nuclei fuse together to make carbon in the triple alpha process?

1) 2
2) 3
3) 4
4) varies depending on the reaction

Answer 1

In the triple alpha process, three helium nuclei fuse to form one carbon nucleus, requiring a temperature of 100 million K due to the electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged helium nuclei (option 2).

Step-by-step explanation:

The Triple Alpha Process

The nuclear reaction in which helium nuclei fuse together to form carbon is known as the triple alpha process. This name is derived from the fact that three alpha particles, which are identical to helium nuclei, must collide and fuse to produce a single carbon nucleus. This fusion of helium into carbon requires a far higher temperature than the fusion of hydrogen into helium due to the necessity of overcoming the intense electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged helium nuclei. To make these nuclei stick together, a temperature of 100 million K is needed, which is significantly higher than is required for hydrogen fusion.

Hence, the answer is option 2.