In a controlled thermonuclear facility

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Nuclei · Nuclei

Problem

In a controlled thermonuclear facility, the deuterium–tritium (D–T) fusion reaction

^2_1\mathrm{H}+^3_1\mathrm{H}\to ^4_2\mathrm{He}+^1_0\mathrm{n}+17.6\,\mathrm{MeV}

is used. Suppose a one-time energy pulse of

1.0\times10^{15}\,\mathrm{J}

is required for an experimental run. Assume that all the fusion energy is converted to the desired form with

100\%

efficiency. (i) Find the number of D–T fusion reactions that must take place to supply the required energy. (Take

1\,\mathrm{eV}=1.6\times10^{-19}\,\mathrm{J}

.) (ii) Calculate the total mass of deuterium plus tritium consumed, given that one mole of either isotope has a mass of

2\,\mathrm{g}

and

3\,\mathrm{g}

respectively, and

N_A = 6.02\times10^{23}\,\text{mol}^{-1}

. Assume equal numbers of deuterium and tritium nuclei participate.