Question

introduction
this project consists of two major parts. for the first part, you will judge previous nuclear fusion movies. for the second part, you will create a nuclear fusion movie of your own and showcase it to an audience. this is part one and you will submit this at the end of class.
pre-screening investigation
instructions: answer the following questions before watching the movies.

1. (8 pts) fill in the table below.

step	element	atomic #	protons	neutrons	mass #
2	hydrogen-2
3	helium-3
3	helium-4

1. (1 pts) what happens in step 1 of nuclear fusion as it occurs in the sun?
2. (1 pts) what happens in step 2 of nuclear fusion as it occurs in the sun?
3. (1 pts) what happens in step 3 of nuclear fusion as it occurs in the sun?

procedures:
a. you will watch a few movies from previous years.
b. for each movie you will answer the given questions.

Explanation:

Question 1: Filling the Table

To fill the table, we use the following concepts:

• Atomic Number (Atomic #): Number of protons in an atom, unique to each element. For hydrogen, atomic number is 1; for helium, it's 2.
• Protons: Equal to atomic number.
• Neutrons: Mass number - atomic number.
• Mass Number (Mass #): Sum of protons and neutrons, given by the isotope (e.g., Hydrogen-1 has mass number 1).

Step 1: Hydrogen-1

• Atomic #: Hydrogen has atomic number 1.
• Protons: Equal to atomic number, so 1.
• Neutrons: Mass # - Atomic # = \( 1 - 1 = 0 \).
• Mass #: Given as 1 (from Hydrogen-1).

Step 2: Hydrogen-2 (Deuterium)

• Atomic #: 1 (hydrogen).
• Protons: 1.
• Neutrons: \( 2 - 1 = 1 \).
• Mass #: 2 (from Hydrogen-2).

Step 3: Helium-3

• Atomic #: Helium has atomic number 2.
• Protons: 2.
• Neutrons: \( 3 - 2 = 1 \).
• Mass #: 3 (from Helium-3).

Step 4: Helium-4

• Atomic #: 2 (helium).
• Protons: 2.
• Neutrons: \( 4 - 2 = 2 \).
• Mass #: 4 (from Helium-4).

Filled Table:

Step	Element	Atomic #	Protons	Neutrons	Mass #
2	Hydrogen-2	1	1	1	2
3	Helium-3	2	2	1	3
4	Helium-4	2	2	2	4

Question 2: Step 1 in Solar Nuclear Fusion

In the Sun, Step 1 of nuclear fusion (proton - proton chain) involves two Hydrogen - 1 (protons, \( ^1_1H \)) nuclei colliding. Due to high temperature and pressure in the Sun’s core, they overcome electrostatic repulsion. One proton undergoes beta - plus decay (turns into a neutron), emitting a positron (\( e^+ \)) and a neutrino (\(
u_e \)). The result is the formation of Hydrogen - 2 (deuterium, \( ^2_1H \)), a positron, and a neutrino. In simpler terms, two protons (Hydrogen - 1) fuse to form deuterium (Hydrogen - 2), along with a positron and neutrino.

Question 3: Step 2 in Solar Nuclear Fusion

In Step 2, the deuterium (\( ^2_1H \)) from Step 1 fuses with another Hydrogen - 1 (\( ^1_1H \)) nucleus. This fusion reaction produces Helium - 3 (\( ^3_2He \)) and a gamma ray (\( \gamma \)). The reaction is \( ^2_1H + ^1_1H
ightarrow ^3_2He + \gamma \). So, deuterium and a proton fuse to form Helium - 3 and release a gamma ray.

Question 4: Step 3 in Solar Nuclear Fusion

Answer:

In Step 3, two Helium - 3 (\( ^3_2He \)) nuclei from Step 2 fuse together. This reaction produces Helium - 4 (\( ^4_2He \)) and two Hydrogen - 1 (\( ^1_1H \)) nuclei (protons). The reaction is \( ^3_2He + ^3_2He
ightarrow ^4_2He + 2^1_1H \). So, two Helium - 3 nuclei fuse to form Helium - 4 and release two protons (which can re - enter the fusion cycle).

Final Answers (Summarized):

1. Filled table as above.
2. Two Hydrogen - 1 (protons) fuse to form Hydrogen - 2 (deuterium), plus a positron and neutrino.
3. Deuterium (Hydrogen - 2) and a proton (Hydrogen - 1) fuse to form Helium - 3 and a gamma ray.
4. Two Helium - 3 nuclei fuse to form Helium - 4 and two protons (Hydrogen - 1).