How Much Energy Is Released from 1kg of Deuterium in Fusion?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the energy released from the fusion of 1 kg of deuterium (21H) into tritium (31H) and hydrogen (11H). The energy produced per fusion reaction is confirmed to be 3.89 MeV. The calculations involve using Avogadro's number and the mass-energy equivalence formula E=mc2, leading to a total energy release of approximately 5.85 x 1026 MeV for 1 kg of deuterium. The discussion clarifies the reasoning behind the factors of 0.5 and division by 2 in the calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear fusion processes
  • Familiarity with energy units such as MeV (mega-electronvolts)
  • Knowledge of Avogadro's number (6.02 x 1023)
  • Basic grasp of mass-energy equivalence (E=mc2)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of nuclear fusion in deuterium and its applications
  • Study the calculation of energy release in nuclear reactions
  • Explore the significance of mass defect in fusion reactions
  • Learn about the properties and uses of tritium in nuclear applications
USEFUL FOR

Students in nuclear physics, researchers in energy production, and anyone interested in the principles of nuclear fusion and energy calculations.

desmond iking
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Homework Statement


Two 2_1 H atoms undergo fusion to form 3_1 H and 1_1 H atom
calculate the energy released by 1.0kg of deuterium..
the amu is given as :2_1 H : 2.01402u
3_1 H : 3.016049u
1_1 H : 1.007825 u
P/s : i am sure that the energy produced is 3.89MeV ...

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


0.5 x (1000/2) x 6.02x10^23 x 3.89MeV = 5.85x10^26 MeV

Is my working correct?
 
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Why both the 0.5 and the /2?
I get exactly double your answer by calculating the fraction of mass lost, then the total mass lost, then using E=mc2.
 
0.5 means there' re 2 H atom /2 means mrr 2g... I am calculating the energy released for 1 H atom...
 
So I divide 2
 
desmond iking said:
So I divide 2
Yes, but why twice (0.5, then /2)?
 
Mrr is 2g. And there re 2 H atom sow I divide 2 twice
 
desmond iking said:
Mrr is 2g. And there re 2 H atom sow I divide 2 twice
Sorry, you've lost me. What are Mrr and 2g in this context?
 
haruspex said:
Sorry, you've lost me. What are Mrr and 2g in this context?
molar mass of deuterium= 2g
 
Last edited:
desmond iking said:
molar mass of deuterium= 2g
Ah, OK. I didn't recognise it because you truncated it from the given 2.01402.
I've found the mistake in my own working and now get almost the same as you do: 5.80E26.
 

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