Two light nuclei combine according to the reaction ^2_1 H + ^3_1 H ^4_2 He + ^1_0 n…

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

Problem

Two light nuclei combine according to the reaction 12H+13H→24He+01n^2_1\text H + ^3_1\text H \rightarrow ^4_2\text{He} + ^1_0\text n Taking the following atomic masses: 12H=2.014102 u^2_1\text H = 2.014102\,\text u, 13H=3.016049 u^3_1\text H = 3.016049\,\text u, 24He=4.002603 u^4_2\text{He} = 4.002603\,\text u, 01n=1.008665 u^1_0\text n = 1.008665\,\text u. Assume 1 u=1.66×10−27 kg1\,\text u = 1.66\times10^{-27}\,\text{kg} and c=3.00×108 m s−1c = 3.00\times10^{8}\,\text{m s}^{-1}. (i) Calculate the mass defect Δm\Delta m for a single fusion event. (ii) Calculate the energy released per fusion event in joule. (iii) Express the same energy in mega-electron-volt (MeV). (Take 1 eV=1.60×10−19 J1\,\text{eV} = 1.60\times10^{-19}\,\text{J}.)

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