• Eheran@lemmy.world
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    14 hours ago

    Electron repulsion is irrelevant compared to the energies needed for fusion. It only takes a few eV to throw electrons out orbit, since they are so far away from the nucleus. On the other hand, a nucleus itself would be attracted to these electrons equally much approaching them and passing them, resulting in a net 0 effect.

    The electrostatic effect of the 2 positive nuclei repelling is WAY larger due to the extremely small distances needed for fusion.

    • mexicancartel@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      2 hours ago

      What about the inverse beta decay thing? If electrons are also being compressed it should end up becoming neutrons right?

      Electron repulsion might be irrelevant but being bound to electrons isn’t. Electrons aren’t being thrown out of the orbit here since its cold. It’s getting squished into.

      (I also disagree with the net zero claim, due to the sheilding effect of outer electrons, but still that too is irrelevant so np)