The following atomic masses are supplied: Mass of proton Mass of neutron Mass of…

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

Problem

The following atomic masses are supplied: Mass of proton

m_p = 1.007825\,\text{u}

Mass of neutron

m_n = 1.008665\,\text{u}

Mass of deuteron (

^{2}\!\mathrm{H}

)

M_D = 2.014102\,\text{u}

Mass of

^{4}\!\mathrm{He}

nucleus

M_{\alpha} = 4.002603\,\text{u}

(1 u corresponds to

931\,\text{MeV}

of energy.) (i) Calculate the mass defect and the binding energy per nucleon of the deuteron. (ii) Calculate the mass defect and the binding energy per nucleon of the

^{4}\!\mathrm{He}

nucleus. (iii) Two deuterons fuse to form one

^{4}\!\mathrm{He}

nucleus and two neutrons are not produced. Determine the energy released in a single such fusion event and state which of the two nuclei,

^{2}\!\mathrm{H}

^{4}\!\mathrm{He}

, is more stable.

Related theory

Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear Reactions
Nuclear Binding Energy
Mass defect and binding energy
Nuclear physics
Nuclei
Mass energy equivalence

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