Chapter 19, Problem 43A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Nuclear fusion and the energy released associated to it needs to be compared with that of nuclear fission process.

Concept introduction: In a nuclear reaction, unstable nuclide disintegrates into stable nuclide with emission of various radiations spontaneously. It is called radioactivity of nucleus. These reactions are of 2 types: fission and fusion. Fission is process in which heavy nuclides disintegrate into lighter and stable ones. When 2 lighter nucleus come together to create a heavy nuclide, it is called as fusion.

Answer to Problem 43A

Two small nuclei fuse to produce a heavy nucleus by the process called nuclear fusion. Energy generated from fission of ${}_{92}^{235}\text{U}$ is 26 million times higher than the energy released in combustion process of ${\text{CH}}_4$ . And energy released for lighter nuclei in case of fusion is much higher in magnitude than for fission process.

Explanation of Solution

Two small nuclei fuse to produce a heavy nucleus by the process called nuclear fusion.

In this process the energy released is much higher than that associated for nuclear fission reaction. This depend on binding energy. Binding energy is the energy required to overcome the forces that hold neutron and proton together. For lighter nuclei this force is higher so is the energy generated from fusion of lighter nuclei.

Energy generated from fission of ${}_{92}^{235}\text{U}$ is 26 million times higher than the energy released in combustion process of ${\text{CH}}_4$ . And energy released for lighter nuclei in case of fusion is much higher in magnitude than for fission process.

Conclusion

Two small nuclei fuse to produce a heavy nucleus by the process called nuclear fusion. Energy generated from fission of ${}_{92}^{235}\text{U}$ is 26 million times higher than the energy released in combustion process of ${\text{CH}}_4$ . And energy released for lighter nuclei in case of fusion is much higher in magnitude than for fission process.