Forms of Energy > Nuclear Energy - Nuclear Fusion – Energy Generation in Stars

In a nuclear reactor, what is the function of a moderator?

In our Nature, where is the nuclear fusion reaction taking place continuously?

Show that the minimum energy needed to separate a proton from a nucleus with Zprotons and N neutrons is `ΔE = (M_(Z-1,N) + M_B - M_(Z,N))c^2` 

where M_Z,N = mass of an atom with Z protons and N neutrons in the nucleus and M_B = mass of a hydrogen atom. This energy is known as proton-separation energy.

Calculate the height of the potential barrier for a head on collision of two deuterons.

(Hint: The height of the potential barrier is given by the Coulomb repulsion between the two deuterons when they just touch each other. Assume that they can be taken as hard spheres of radius 2.0 fm.)

Write one balanced equation to show Nuclear fission

Calculate the Q-values of the following fusion reactions :-

(a) `""_1^2H + ""_1^2H → ""_1^3H + ""_1^1H`

(b) `""_1^2H + ""_1^2H → ""_2^3H + n`

(c) `""_1^2H + ""_1^3H → _2^4H + n`.

Atomic masses are `m(""_1^2H) = 2.014102 "u", m(""_1^3H) = 3.016049 "u", m(""_2^3He) = 3.016029 "u", m(""_2^4He) = 4.002603 "u".`

(Use Mass of proton m_p = 1.007276 u, Mass of `""_1^1"H"` atom = 1.007825 u, Mass of neutron m_n = 1.008665 u, Mass of electron = 0.0005486 u ≈ 511 keV/c²,1 u = 931 MeV/c².)

Free ²³⁸U nuclei kept in a train emit alpha particles. When the train is stationary and a uranium nucleus decays, a passenger measures that the separation between the alpha particle and the recoiling nucleus becomes x in time t after the decay. If a decay takes place when the train is moving at a uniform speed v, the distance between the alpha particle and the recoiling nucleus at a time t after the decay, as measured by the passenger will be

Write notes on Nuclear fusion