triple alpha process
[ trĭp′əl ]
A nuclear fusion reaction in which three helium nuclei (alpha particles) fuse to form a carbon nucleus, thereby releasing energy. Two helium nuclei fuse to form an unstable isotope of beryllium, which under conditions of sufficient temperature and pressure fuses with a third helium nucleus to form carbon before it decays. Triple alpha processes take place in stars in which large quantities of helium have accumulated as the product of proton-proton chain and carbon cycle reactions.
Words nearby triple alpha process
tripitaka,
triplane,
triple,
triple a,
triple alliance,
triple alpha process,
triple bogey,
triple bond,
triple counterpoint,
triple cream,
triple crown