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PRACTICE / Nuclear fusion

Account for the binding already present in the fuel

In the reaction D + D → T + p, use deuteron binding energy 2.2 MeV and triton binding energy 8.5 MeV. A free proton has zero nuclear binding energy.

What is the reaction energy release under these rounded values?

Organize the givens & assumptions
  • Two deuterons, each binding 2.2 MeV
  • Triton binding = 8.5 MeV
  • Free proton binding = 0
  • 1 MeV = 1.6×10⁻¹³ J

Use consistent nuclear binding energies and conserve the two initial protons and two initial neutrons; neglect electron binding and use the supplied rounded values.

  1. A8.5 MeV8.5\ \mathrm{MeV}
  2. B6.3 MeV6.3\ \mathrm{MeV}
  3. C−4.1 MeV-4.1\ \mathrm{MeV}
  4. D4.1 MeV4.1\ \mathrm{MeV}

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