The energy produced in the fusion reaction – problems and solutions

1. Based on the following equation of the fusion reaction, determine the energy produced in the fusion reaction!

Solution

Mass of reactant and product :

Mass of reactant (m_reactant) = 1.0078 amu + 1.0078 amu = 2.0156 amu

Mass of product (m_product) = 2.01410 amu + 0.00055 amu = 2.01465 amu

The loss of mass in the reaction :

Δm = m_reactant – m_product

Δm = 2.01560 amu – 2.01465 amu

Δm = 0.00095 amu

The loss of mass in the reaction is 0.00095 sma.

1 amu = 931 MeV. 0.00095 amu = 0.00095 x 931 MeV = 0.88445 MeV.

amu = atomic mass unit

MeV = megaelectron-volt (unit of energy)

2. Based on the following equation of the fusion reaction, determine the energy produced in the fusion reaction!

Solution :

Mass of reactant and product :

Mass of reactant (m_reactant) = 2.014 amu + 3.016 amu = 5.03 amu

Mass of product (m_product) = 4.0026 amu + 1.0084 amu = 5.011 amu

The loss of mass in the reaction :

Δm = m_reactant – m_product

Δm = 5.03 amu – 5.011 amu

Δm = 0.019 amu

The loss of mass in the reaction is 0.019 amu.

1 amu = 931 MeV. 0.019 amu = 0.019 x 931 MeV = 17.689 MeV = 17.69 MeV.

3. Based on the following equation of the fusion reaction, determine the energy produced in the fusion reaction!

Solution :

Mass of reactant and product :

Mass of reactant (m_reactant) = 13.0033 amu + 2.0141 amu = 15.0174 amu

Mass of product (m_product) = 14.0030 amu + 1.0078 amu = 15.0108 amu

The loss of mass in the reaction :

Δm = m_reactant – m_product

Δm = 15.0174 amu – 15.0108 amu

Δm = 0.0066 amu

The loss of mass in the reaction is 0.0066 amu.

1 amu = 931 MeV. 0.0066 amu = 0.0066 x 931 MeV = 6.1446 MeV.

4. Based on the following equation of the fusion reaction, determine the energy produced in the fusion reaction.

Solution :

Mass of reactant and product :

Mass of reactant (m_reactant) = 4 (1.0078 amu) = 4.0312 amu

Mass of product (m_product) = 4.0026 amu + 0.0005 amu = 4.0031 amu

The loss of mass in the reaction :

Δm = m_reactant – m_product

Δm = 4.0312 amu – 4.0031 amu

Δm = 0.0281 amu

The loss of mass in the reaction is 0.0281 amu.

1 amu = 931 MeV. 0.0281 amu = 0.0281 x 931 MeV = 26.1611 MeV.