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

The reaction energy released can be calculated by finding the difference in mass between the reactants and products and then converting that mass difference to energy using Einstein's equation $E = mc^2$, where $m$ is the mass difference and $c$ is the speed of light. Here, $1 u = 931.5 \text{ MeV/c}^2$.Mass of reactants: $2 \times 3.016029 \, \text{u} = 6.032058 \, \text{u}$Mass of products: $4.002603 \, \text{u} + 2 \times 1.007825 \, \text{u} = 6.018253 \, \text{u}$Mass difference: $6.032058 \, \text{u} - 6.018253 \, \text{u} = 0.013805 \, \text{u}$Energy released: $0.013805 \, \text{u} \times 931.5 \, \text{MeV/u} = 12.86 \, \text{MeV}$Rounding to the nearest whole number gives approximately 13 MeV.

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

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