One of the fusion reactions that occurs in the sun is: $^{3}_{2}$ He + $^{3}_{2}$ He → $^{4}_{2}$ ) He + $^{1}_{1}$ H + $^{1}_{1}$ H The following atomic masses are known:
$^{1}_{1}$ H: 1.007825 u $^{3}_{2}$ He: 3.016029 u $^{4}_{2}$ He: 4.002603 u
What is the reaction energy released in this fusion reaction? (1 u = 931.5 MeV/c²)

Question

One of the fusion reactions that occurs in the sun is:

^{3}_{2}

He +

^{3}_{2}

He →

^{4}_{2}

) He +

^{1}_{1}

H +

^{1}_{1}

H The following atomic masses are known:

^{1}_{1}

H: 1.007825 u

^{3}_{2}

He: 3.016029 u

^{4}_{2}

He: 4.002603 u
What is the reaction energy released in this fusion reaction? (1 u = 931.5 MeV/c²)

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

We can use the mass-energy equivalence principle (E=mc²) to calculate the energy released in this fusion reaction.

The initial mass of the two $^{3}_{2}$He nuclei is 2 x 3.016029 u = 6.032058 u.

The final mass of the $^{4}_{2}$He and two $^{1}_{1}$H nuclei is 1 x 4.002603 u + 2 x 1.007825 u = 6.018253 u.

The mass difference (Δm) between the initial and final states is:

Δm = (6.032058 u) - (6.018253 u) = 0.013805 u

Using the mass-energy equivalence principle, we can convert this mass difference to energy:

E = Δm x c² x (1 u / 931.5 MeV/c²)

E = 0.013805 u x (931.5 MeV/c²) x (1 u / 931.5 MeV/c²)

E = 12.86 MeV

Rounding off to two significant figures, the answer is 13 MeV. Therefore, the best choice is (B).

One of the Fusion Reactions That Occurs in the Sun 23^{3}_{2}23​