Consider the fusion reaction 2 1H + 2 1H → 3 2He + 1 0n. (a) Estimate the barrier energy by calculating the repulsive electrostatic potential energy of the two 2 1H nuclei when they touch. (b) Compute the energy liberated in this reaction in MeV and in joules. (c) Compute the energy liberated per mole of deuterium, remembering that the gas is diatomic, and compare with the heat of combustion of hydrogen, about 2.9 x 105 J/mol

Consider the fusion reaction 2 1H + 2 1H → 3 2He + 1 0n. (a) Estimate the barrier energy by calculating the repulsive electrostatic potential energy of the two 2 1H nuclei when they touch. (b) Compute the energy liberated in this reaction in MeV and in joules. (c) Compute the energy liberated per mole of deuterium, remembering that the gas is diatomic, and compare with the heat of combustion of hydrogen, about 2.9 x 105 J/mol