Calculate the quantity of energy produced per gram of reactant for the fusion of H-3 (atomic mass = 3.016049 amu) with H-1 (atomic mass = 1.007825 amu) to form He-4 (atomic mass = 4.002603 amu).

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the nuclear reaction: \( \text{H-3} + \text{H-1} \rightarrow \text{He-4} \).
2. Calculate the mass defect: \( \Delta m = (\text{mass of H-3} + \text{mass of H-1}) - \text{mass of He-4} \).
3. Convert the mass defect from atomic mass units (amu) to kilograms using the conversion factor: 1 amu = 1.66053906660 \times 10^{-27} \text{ kg}.
4. Use Einstein's equation \( E = \Delta m c^2 \) to calculate the energy released, where \( c \) is the speed of light \( 3.00 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s} \).
5. Calculate the energy produced per gram of reactant by dividing the total energy by the total mass of the reactants in grams.

Key Concepts

Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process. This reaction is the source of energy for stars, including the sun, and occurs under extreme temperature and pressure conditions. In the given question, the fusion of H-3 and H-1 to form He-4 exemplifies this process.

Mass-Energy Equivalence

Mass-energy equivalence, encapsulated in Einstein's equation E=mc², states that mass can be converted into energy and vice versa. In nuclear reactions, the mass of the reactants is often greater than the mass of the products, with the 'missing' mass converted into energy. This principle is crucial for calculating the energy produced in the fusion reaction described.

Binding Energy

Binding energy is the energy required to disassemble a nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons. It reflects the stability of a nucleus; higher binding energy indicates a more stable nucleus. In fusion reactions, the difference in binding energy between the reactants and products determines the energy released, which is essential for solving the energy calculation in the question.