Question on Nuclear Fusion

[RobJameson]

In case there are any Nuclear physicists on The Escapist i've just had a little ponder on Fusion and have a small question.

Now in a typical star of G2V classification stellar fusion two Protons fuse to form a H2 isotope (Proton + Neutron) with the release of a Positron and a Neutrino. This means a Proton transforms into a Neutron, now this must mean an Up quark is turning to a down quark due to weak interaction between the Hadrons, this must account for the emittance of an Electron Neutrino and a Postively charged Electron or Positron. Now this should work as it would make the overall charge difference created by the decay 0, as the +1 of the Positron would counter the -1 change from a +2/3 charged up quark to a -1/3 down quark, this would explain the fusion process as one of the Proton's Up Quarks would decay into a Down Quark as a Positive Weak Force interaction in the Baryons would bring on this change. Is this correct as particle fusion is getting quite confusing.

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

You've actually got it. Nuclear physics is a very confusing mistress, indeed. The continual process of that is actually how neutron stars are formed.

 

[RobJameson]

Actually Neutron stars are created from a combination of factors.

When the electron degenerancy pressure fails against the gravitational pressure from the host star when the creation of Fe-56 halts Fusion in the stars core the star collapses and it becomes favourable for Electrons and Protons to form Neutrons and Neutrinos, thus removing all the mass of the star and turning it into pure Neutrons and relying on the repulsion between these particles to resist gravity turning the star into a black hole, so yes, it is again just weak interaction forces in Baryons forming different Fermions. Perhaps pentaquarks will create some interesting developments in Particle and Quantum physics