Nuclear fusion: Calculate the amount of energy that is released in the fusion reaction ²H + ²H → ⁴He, given the masses: ²H: 2.014102 u
⁴He: 4.002603 u
(1 u = 931.5 MeV/c²)

Question

Nuclear fusion: Calculate the amount of energy that is released in the fusion reaction ²H + ²H → ⁴He, given the masses: ²H: 2.014102 u ⁴He: 4.002603 u (1 u = 931.5 MeV/c²)

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The total mass of the reactants is 2(2.014102 u) = 4.028204 u. The mass of the product is 4.002603 u. The mass difference is 4.028204 u - 4.002603 u = 0.025601 u. Converting this mass difference into energy using E = mc^2 and given 1 u = 931.5 MeV/c^2, the energy released is 0.025601 u * 931.5 MeV/u = 23.84 MeV, which rounds to approximately 24 MeV.

Nuclear Fusion: Calculate the Amount of Energy That Is Released