Physics

Physics

Problem

Consider the two reactions below. Fusion: 2H+3H→4He+n^2\text{H}+^3\text{H}\rightarrow{}^4\text{He}+n (Q ≈ 17.6 MeV, 5 nucleons involved) Fission: 235U+n→141Ba+92Kr+3n^{235}\text{U}+n\rightarrow{}^{141}\text{Ba}+{}^{92}\text{Kr}+3n (Q ≈ 174 MeV, 236 nucleons involved) Which process releases more energy per nucleon, and by approximately what factor? a) Fission, by a factor of about 1010 b) Fusion, by a factor of about 33 c) Fusion, by a factor of about 55 d) Fission, by a factor of about 22

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