Q.
The binding energy per nucleon in deuterium and helium nuclei are 1.1MeV and 7.0MeV , respectively. When two deuterium nuclei fuse to form a helium nucleus, the energy released in the fusion is
_1H2+_1H2→_2He4+ΔE
The binding energy per nucleon of a deuteron =1.1MeV
∴ Total binding energy =2×1.1=2.2MeV
The binding energy per nucleon of a helium nuclei =7MeV
∴ Total binding energy =4×7=28MeV
Hence, the energy released ΔE=(28−2×2.2)=23.6MeV