Deuterium fuses with tritium by the following reaction: 21H+31H⟶42He+10n12H+13H⟶24He+01n The atomic masses of deuterium and tritium are 2.014102u2.014102u and 3.016049u3.016049u respectively. Calculate the energy in joules released by the fusion of a 2.5 -kg mixture of deuterium and tritium, which produces helium. There are equal numbers of deuterium and tritium nuclei in the mixture. If this process takes place continuously over a period of a year, what is the average power output in units of megawatts?
Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear fusion is a type of nuclear reaction. In nuclear fusion, two or more than two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. During this process, an enormous amount of energy is released. This energy is called nuclear energy. Nuclear fusion is the energy source of the sun and stars.
Fusion Bomb
A fusion bomb is also known as a thermonuclear bomb or hydrogen bomb which releases a large amount of explosive energy during a nuclear chain reaction when the lighter nuclei in it, combine to form heavier nuclei, and a large amount of radiation is released. It is an uncontrolled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction where isotopes of hydrogen combine under very high temperature to form helium. They work on the principle of operation of atomic fusion. The isotopes of Hydrogen are deuterium and tritium, where they combine their masses and have greater mass than the product nuclei, get heated at high temperatures, and releases energy.
Deuterium fuses with tritium by the following reaction:
21H+31H⟶42He+10n12H+13H⟶24He+01n
The
Calculate the energy in joules released by the fusion of a 2.5 -kg mixture of deuterium and tritium, which produces helium. There are equal numbers of deuterium and tritium nuclei in the mixture.
If this process takes place continuously over a period of a year, what is the average power output in units of megawatts?
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