a) Explain what is meant by the term fusion when describing a nuclear reaction. b) Calculate the energy Q in MeV released in the reaction below by fusing two helium- 3 isotopes to form a helium-4 nucleus and two protons. He + 2He →→ He + 2 H+Q The atomic masses of Hydrogen H and Helium He are, 1.007835 and 4.00260 u respectively, the mass of the Helium-3 isotope is 3.01605 u, and 1u is equivalent to 931 MeV.
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear fission is a type of nuclear reaction in which heavier nuclei split into lighter nuclei by releasing a large quantity of energy. The elements like uranium-235 and plutonium-239 isotope undergo nuclear fission releasing energy. When nuclei undergo fission, some quantity of mass is lost. The lost mass is converted to nuclear energy. Nuclear fission reaction is used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. In nuclear power plants, nuclear reactors are used to generate electricity.
Endothermic Nuclear Reaction
A nuclear reaction can be described as a process where two atoms, or two nuclei or nucleus and subatomic particles such as a proton, neutron interact together, and a large amount of energy is produced and new elements are also produced.
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