In reply to Eric Walker's message of Sat, 22 Jun 2013 12:45:33 -0700: Hi, [snip] >> Also, why does the system choose to release energy this way? What rule >> makes this the easiest way? >> > >I'm not sure. This is one of the many questions I have. I have been >trying to understand the system sufficiently to gain insight into these >questions, but it's been a slow learning process. >
I suspect, because 4He is very stable, making it the preferred result, whenever this is possible, all else being equal. In D-D hot fusion you get either T or 3He as the primary result, only because these reactions are much faster than gamma emission. However when the momentum can be shared with a spectator nucleus, there is no need for the 4He* to break up, and the reaction to 4He is just as fast (if not faster) than the reaction to T or 3He, hence it is the preferred path. Regards, Robin van Spaandonk http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/project.html
