Proton capture

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 96.252.180.210 (talk) at 18:37, 20 October 2020 (I added some more facts). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Proton capture is a nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus and one or more protons collide and merge to form a heavier nucleus.

Since protons have positive electric charge, they are repelled electrostatically by the positively charged nucleus. Therefore, it is more difficult for protons to enter the nucleus compared to neutrally charged neutrons .

Proton capture plays an important role in the cosmic nucleosynthesis of proton rich isotopes. In stars it can proceed in two ways: as a rapid (rp-process) or a slow process (p-process).

Rays in 7

See also

References

External links

This process makes lithium in stars to get converted into helium in main-sequence stars.