Question

(65 pts) Nuclear Fusiorn (a) What is nuclear fusion ? (b) Give an example (different than those in this problem below) of a nuclear fusion reaction (c) When a tritium nucleon and a deuterium nucleon under a fusion reaction they produce a helium aucleus and a neutron. If the masses of the species are the following tritium: 3.01605 amu deuterium: 20140 amu helium: 4.00260 amu neutron: 1.0089665 amu How much energy (in kJ) will be produced per mole of reaction ? (d) Nuclear fusion is envisioned as our most promising future power source. Where does nuclear fusion occur every minute of every day and write a nuclear reaction that illustrates this process (e) Why has it been so difficult to use nuclear fusion as an energy source ? (65 pts) Nuclear Fission (a) What is nuclear fission (b) Give an example of an induced nuclear fission reaction (e) What is a critical mass ? (d) What is a chain reaction? 10

Answer 1

"Nuclear Fusion In nuclear physics, nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei come close enough to form one or more different nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons). The difference in mass between The reactions and products is manifested as the release of large amount of energy. Fusion is the process that powers active or ""main sequence"" stars, or other high magnitude start. Example of Nuclear Fusion ^2_1 D + ^6_3 Li rightarrow 2 ^4_2 He + 22.4 meV Deuterium Lithium - 6 Helium energy released ^2_1 D + ^3_1 T rightarrow ^4_2 He + n degree Change in mass = (M_1 = D + M_3 T) - (M ^4_2 Me + M_ri) = (2.0140 + 3.01605) - (4.00260 + 1.008965) = 0.0184835 amu Change in mass = (m_1 = D + M^3_1 T) - (M ^4_2 Me + M_n ri) = (2.0140 + 3.01605) "