Question

What should be the product of this fusion reaction?

(a) Helium – 3

(b) Helium – 4

(c) Helium – 5

(d) Boron

I had been asked this question by my college director while I was bunking the class.

This interesting question is from Nuclear Fusion in section Quantum Physics of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

The correct option is (b) Helium – 4

For explanation I would say: The given figure can be expressed as the equation:

^2H + ^3H -> X + ^1n, where X is the desired product.

As we know, the sum of mass numbers of reactants is equal to the mass number of the product. Therefore, the mass number of X should be 4.

Thus, it should be a Helium-4 ion.