Define the term mass defect.
Table 9.1 gives the mass defects for three nuclei. The fusion reaction in a certain star is given by $^{2}_{1}\text{H} + ^{3}_{1}\text{H} \rightarrow ^{4}_{2}\text{He} + X$ where $X$ is a particle that has no mass defect.
State the identity of particle $X$.
Show that the energy released when one $^{4}_{2}\text{He}$ nucleus is produced in this fusion reaction is $2.8 \times 10^{-12}\ \text{J}$.
The star in (b) has radius $2.3 \times 10^{9}\ \text{m}$ and luminosity $1.4 \times 10^{28}\ \text{W}$. Every bit of the energy released when $^{4}_{2}\text{He}$ forms is emitted from the star. All radiation from the star comes from the formation of $^{4}_{2}\text{He}$. Determine the mass of $^{4}_{2}\text{He}$ produced each second by the fusion process.
Determine the star’s surface temperature.