What energy is needed (in MeV) so two deuterium atoms moving together will reach the necessary 10−¹⁴ m for fusion? A) 0.511 B) 0.14 C) 2.5 D) 4.3 E) 1.0

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy needed for two deuterium atoms to approach each other closely enough for fusion is calculated using the Coulomb barrier formula, which is $E = \frac{k \cdot e^2}{r}$, where $k$ is Coulomb's constant, $e$ is the charge of an electron, and $r$ is the distance. Given the distance is $10^{-15}$ m, and knowing the values for $k$ and $e$, the energy calculated falls around 0.14 MeV, which is necessary to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between the nuclei.

What Energy Is Needed (In MeV) So Two Deuterium Atoms