The deuterium–tritium reaction is given below: Use the following data to answer the…

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Nuclear physics · Nuclear physics

Problem

The deuterium–tritium reaction is given below: 12H+13H  ⟶  24He+01n^2_1\mathrm{H}+{}^3_1\mathrm{H}\;\longrightarrow\;{}^4_2\mathrm{He}+{}^1_0\mathrm{n} Use the following data to answer the questions. Atomic masses (in u): 12H=2.014102^2_1\mathrm{H}=2.014102, 13H=3.016049^3_1\mathrm{H}=3.016049, 24He=4.002603^4_2\mathrm{He}=4.002603, neutron =1.008665=1.008665. 1 u=931.5 MeV/c21\,\text{u}=931.5\,\text{MeV}/c^2 and 1 MeV=1.6×10−13 J1\,\text{MeV}=1.6\times10^{-13}\,\text{J}. Take c=3.0×108 m s−1c=3.0\times10^{8}\,\text{m\,s}^{-1}. (i) Calculate the Q-value of the reaction in MeV. (ii) Convert the energy obtained in part (i) to joules. (iii) State whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic, giving a reason based on your result.

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