 Effective proton-proton reaction network

An effective Proton–proton chain network can track protons, deuterium, helium-3, helium-4 and lithium-7 after eliminating a rapidly adjusting beryllium intermediate. Identical-reactant event rates include a factor one half. Stoichiometric changes must count both helium-4 products of lithium-7 proton capture. The weighted baryon mass density $n_1+2n_2+3n_3+4n_4+7n_7$ is conserved by the nuclear reactions at fixed volume.