Which of the following are suitable for the fusion process ?
A.
Light nuclei
B.
Heavy nuclei
C.
Elements lying in the middle of periodic table
D.
Elements lying in the middle of binding energy curve
Answer :
Light nuclei
Solution :
Binding energy for light nuclei $$\left( {A < 20} \right)$$ is much smaller than the binding energy for heavier nuclei. This suggests a process that is reverse of fission. When two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, the process is called nuclear fusion. The union of two light nuclei into heavier nuclei also lead to a transfer of mass and a consequent liberation of large amount energy.
Releted MCQ Question on Modern Physics >> Atoms or Nuclear Fission and Fusion
In the nuclear fusion reaction
$$_1^2H + _1^3H \to _2^4He + n$$
given that the repulsive potential energy between the two
nuclei is $$ \sim 7.7 \times {10^{ - 14}}J,$$ the temperature at which the gases must be heated to initiate the reaction is nearly
[Boltzmann’s Constant $$k = 1.38 \times {10^{ - 23}}J/K$$ ]
The binding energy per nucleon of deuteron $$\left( {_1^2H} \right)$$ and helium nucleus $$\left( {_2^4He} \right)$$ is $$1.1\,MeV$$ and $$7\,MeV$$ respectively. If two deuteron nuclei react to form a single helium nucleus, then the energy released is