Question

Estimate the amount of energy released in the nuclear fusion reaction.

₁H² + ₁H² → ₂He³ + ₀n¹

Given, m(₁H²) = 2.0141u

m(₂He³) = 3.0160 u

m(₀n¹) = 1.0087 u

and 1 u 931.5 MeV

Answer 1

Total mass of the reacting particles

Total mass of the product particles

∴ ΔM = Mass lost during the reaction = (4.0282 – 4.0247) u

= 0.0035 u

E = The energy released = (ΔM) x c² = 0.035 × 931.5 MeV

= 3.2602 MeV