Chapter 19, Problem 45A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: High desirability for development of nuclear reactors has to be explained.

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 45A

Since in nature, abundant amount of light nuclei are available, that act as fuel for fusion reactor and magnitude of high energy associated with fusion process than fission, development of fusion reactor is desirable.

Explanation of Solution

The energy associated to nuclear fusion is many times higher than that for nuclear fisson. Even stars and sun produce their energy through fusion reactions. A fusion process of sun is as follows:

  $\begin{array}{l}{}_1^1\text{H}{+}_1^1\text{H}{\to }_1^2\text{H}{+}_1^0\text{e}+\text{energy}\\ {}_1^1\text{H}{+}_1^2\text{H}{\to }_2^3\text{He}+\text{energy}\\ {}_2^3\text{He}{+}_2^3\text{He}{\to }_2^4\text{He}\text{+}{\text{2}}_1^1\text{H}\text{+}\text{energy}\\ {}_2^3\text{He}\text{+}{}_1^1\text{H}{\to }_2^4\text{He}{+}_1^0\text{e}+\text{energy}\end{array}$

Due to availability of many light nuclei like ${}_1^1{\text{H, }}_1^2{\text{H and }}_2^3\text{He}$ in abundance, huge efforts are being made to develop a fusion reactor. These light nuclei act as fuel in such reactors.

Conclusion

Since in nature, abundant amount of light nuclei are available, that act as fuel for fusion reactor and magnitude of high energy associated with fusion process than fission, development of fusion reactor is desirable.