Abstract

A theory of nucleosynthesis processes is proposed, based on nonequilibrium thermodynamics, and allowing to reveal their specificity as processes of energy transformation. It is shown that the processes of cold and hot fusion have much in common and are impossible without the participation of an unobservable external environment, previously called ether. The validity of the laws of conservation of mass and energy for nucleosynthesis processes is proved, and the erroneousness of calculating the energy effect of nuclear reactions only based on the “mass defect”, without considering the energy of the environment. The concept of nucleosynthesis efficiency is introduced and a thermodynamic interpretation of synthesis processes as a process of burning “nucleon” fuel is given. The unity of “cold” and “hot” synthesis with the processes of converting other forms of energy is revealed and facts confirming the theory are given. The extremely low thermodynamic efficiency of thermonuclear reactors as energy installations of the future is emphasized.

Keywords

matter and space vacuum, nucleosynthesis, and its efficiency, gravistatic and gravikinetic energy, hot and cold nuclear fusion, structure of the nucleus and atom