When two protons fuse together to form a deuteron, the result is a nucleus of a deuterium atom. Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen and is represented by the symbol "D" or "²H". It contains one proton and one neutron in its nucleus.
The fusion process that leads to the formation of a deuteron is known as proton-proton fusion. It occurs in the core of stars, including our Sun, where extreme temperatures and pressures enable nuclear reactions to take place.
In the proton-proton fusion process, two protons come close enough to undergo a series of nuclear reactions, eventually resulting in the formation of a deuteron. The specific reactions involved depend on the conditions and temperature, but the basic sequence is as follows:
- Two protons (hydrogen nuclei) approach each other.
- One of the protons undergoes a process called beta-plus decay, where it transforms into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino in the process. The result is a positron-emitting isotope of hydrogen, known as positronium.
- The positron emitted from the previous step almost instantly annihilates with an electron, releasing energy.
- The remaining proton and the newly formed neutron quickly combine to form a deuteron.
The deuteron (²H) is the simplest and most stable nucleus that contains a neutron. It plays an important role in nuclear physics and fusion reactions, such as those occurring in experimental fusion reactors and potentially in future energy production.