
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
Join Physics Forums Today!

Homework Help: Energy released CNO cycle

  1. Nov 17, 2008 #1

    The first step of the CNO cycle is
    [tex] p \rightarrow C_{6}^{12} \rightarrow N_{7}^{14} + \gamma [/tex]

    Estimate the energy of the CNO cycle, state any assumptions.

    2. Relevant equations


    3. The attempt at a solution

    I was looking at mass difference,

    (1.00728u + 12u) - 13.00574u = 0.00154u to convert into energy for the gamma
    1u = 931.494MeV/c^2
    0.00154u = 1.4345MeV/c^2

    therefore E(gamma) = 1.45 MeV

    assumptions: energy and momentum are conserved.

    When I looked at the wiki page for the CNO they used Hydrogen and had an energy for the gamma of 1.95MeV, I' got the 1.95MeV value using the mass of the hydrogen. I'm just a little concerned that I didn't take into account any kinetic energy the proton may of had before collision.
  2. jcsd

Can you offer guidance or do you also need help?
Draft saved Draft deleted