Question

Consider the D−T reaction (deuterium−tritium fusion)

\[\ce{^2_1H + ^3_1H -> ^4_2He + n}\]

Calculate the energy released in MeV in this reaction from the data:

`"m"(""_1^2"H")`= 2.014102 u

`"m"(""_1^3"H")`= 3.016049 u

Answer 1

Take the D-T nuclear reaction:  \[\ce{^2_1H + ^3_1H -> ^4_2He + n}\]

It is given that:

Mass of `""_1^2"H"` m₁= 2.014102 u

Mass of `""_1^3"H"` m₂ = 3.016049 u

Mass of `""_2^4"He"` m₃ = 4.002603 u

Mass of `""_0^1"n"` m₄ = 1.008665 u

Q-value of the given D-T reaction is:

Q = [m₁ + m₂ − m₃ − m₄] c²

= [2.014102 + 3.016049 − 4.002603 − 1.008665] c²

= [0.018883 c²] u

But 1 u = 931.5 MeV/c²

∴Q = 0.018883 × 931.5 = 17.59 MeV