How to compute how much energy is released in nuclear fusion?

AI Thread Summary
To compute the energy released in nuclear fusion, the initial step involves calculating the mass loss using the equation Δm = m(1^2H) + m(1^3H) - m(2^4He) - m(0^1n), resulting in a mass loss of 0.0188828u. This mass loss translates to a reaction energy of approximately 2.81 x 10^-12 J per fusion reaction. However, the total energy released per kilogram is significantly higher, estimated at about 3.4 x 10^14 J. The discrepancy arises from the need to consider the number of reactions occurring in a given mass of fuel. Understanding the energy per reaction versus the total energy output per kilogram is crucial for accurate calculations in nuclear fusion energy.
Mestudyingphysics
Messages
1
Reaction score
1
Homework Statement
In a fusion power plant, it is planned to use deuterium and tritium, so that one gets helium and neutrons. How much one gets energy if we have $1\textrm{ kg}$ fuel?
Relevant Equations
$\Delta m=m(_1^2\textrm{H})+m(_1^3\textrm{H})-m(_2^4\textrm{He})-m(_0^1\textrm{n})$
I thought the first step is to compute the loss of mass. ##\Delta m=m(_1^2\textrm{H})+m(_1^3\textrm{H})-m(_2^4\textrm{He})-m(_0^1\textrm{n})=2.0141018u+3.0160493u- 4.0026033u-1.0086650u=0.0188828u##. The corresponding reaction energy is ##0.0188828 \cdot 931,5MeV=17.54MeV\approx 2.81\cdot 10^{-12}J##. But the answer is about ##3.4\cdot 10^{14}\textrm{ J}##. What is my mistake?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
If the energy per reaction is 2.81e-12 J, what is the energy per kg?
 
Thread 'Minimum mass of a block'

Thread 'Minimum mass of a block'

Here we know that if block B is going to move up or just be at the verge of moving up ##Mg \sin \theta ## will act downwards and maximum static friction will act downwards ## \mu Mg \cos \theta ## Now what im confused by is how will we know " how quickly" block B reaches its maximum static friction value without any numbers, the suggested solution says that when block A is at its maximum extension, then block B will start to move up but with a certain set of values couldn't block A reach...
View full post »

Thread 'Electric field due to charges between 2 parallel infinite planes'

TL;DR Summary: Find Electric field due to charges between 2 parallel infinite planes using Gauss law at any point Here's the diagram. We have a uniform p (rho) density of charges between 2 infinite planes in the cartesian coordinates system. I used a cube of thickness a that spans from z=-a/2 to z=a/2 as a Gaussian surface, each side of the cube has area A. I know that the field depends only on z since there is translational invariance in x and y directions because the planes are...
View full post »
Thread 'Calculation of Tensile Forces in Piston-Type Water-Lifting Devices at Elevated Locations'

Thread 'Calculation of Tensile Forces in Piston-Type Water-Lifting Devices at Elevated Locations'

Figure 1 Overall Structure Diagram Figure 2: Top view of the piston when it is cylindrical A circular opening is created at a height of 5 meters above the water surface. Inside this opening is a sleeve-type piston with a cross-sectional area of 1 square meter. The piston is pulled to the right at a constant speed. The pulling force is（Figure 2）： F = ρshg = 1000 × 1 × 5 × 10 = 50,000 N. Figure 3: Modifying the structure to incorporate a fixed internal piston When I modify the piston...
View full post »

Similar threads

Why Is Energy Released in Nuclear Decay Equal to Change in Binding Energies?
Replies
13
Views
1K
Fluid mechanics: water jet impacting an inclined plane
Replies
36
Views
5K
Photon Arrival Rate, Chapter 1.5 from Computer Graphics by Folly
Replies
15
Views
2K
Amount of energy generated from fusion
Replies
5
Views
2K
I What kind of energy is released in a nuclear fusion reaction?
Replies
14
Views
3K
What is the energy needed for Deuterium-Tritium fusion to occur?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Is potential energy defined only for internal conservative forces?
Replies
15
Views
1K
MIT OCW, 8.02 Electromagnetism: Potential for an Electric Dipole
Replies
1
Views
2K
Calculating total amount of energy in a fusion reaction
Replies
4
Views
4K
Variation in mass and binding energy in nuclear reactions
Replies
5
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top