The fraction of the original mass that goes into energy is s

The fraction of the original mass that goes into energy is sometimes called the efficiency of a nuclear reaction and is given by, E= (Mstart - Mend) / (Mstart). A) Compute this quantity for the fusion of four protons into a 4He nucleus.B) What is the rate that the Sun is converting hydrogen into helium?

Solution

mass of Proton M_p = 1.007825 u

mass of He-4    = 4.002603

E = (4*1.007825 - 4.002603)/ 4*1.007825 =0.00712

Sun contains about 75% Hydrogen and 25% helium. It is estimated that each second about 700,000,000 tons of hydrogen are converted to about 695,000,000 tons of helium.