CAIE A-Level Physics 23.1.6 Binding Energy in Nuclear Reactions

Practise using binding energy per nucleon and its curve to explain or predict energy release in fusion, fission and nuclear decay.

Exam points

explain why fusion or fission can release energy using changes in binding energy per nucleon
use the binding-energy-per-nucleon curve to predict whether a nuclear reaction releases energy

[Maximum number: 2]

In one type of nuclear process, deuterium $\left({ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}\right)$ undergoes the reaction

{ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H}+{ }_{1}^{2} \mathrm{H} \longrightarrow{ }_{2}^{3} \mathrm{He}+{ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n} .

Explain, with reference to your line in (a)(ii), why this reaction results in the release of energy.

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