Physics

Problem

A fusion reaction

^2_1\text{H}+{}^3_1\text{H}\rightarrow{}^4_2\text{He}+n

releases

17.6\,\text{MeV}

per event, while each fission of

^{235}

U releases

200\,\text{MeV}

. (a) If

1\,\text{kg}

^{235}

U is fully fissioned in a reactor of efficiency

30\%

, calculate the electrical energy obtained. (b) How many kilograms of the deuterium–tritium mixture would be needed to yield the same electrical energy in a fusion reactor working at

40\%

efficiency? (c) State the ratio of the required fusion fuel mass to the fission fuel mass. a. (a) Electrical energy from fission of

1\,\text{kg}

^{235}

U (30 % efficiency) b. (b) Mass of D–T mixture for equal electrical output (40 % efficiency) c. (c) Ratio

m_{\text{fusion}}:m_{\text{fission}}

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