In: Physics
A promising source of energy are nuclear fusion reactors (more stable and with less radioactive products than fission reactors). Their basic reaction is the fusion of two forms of heavy hydrogen into helium and a neutron: d + t → 4He + n. The deuteron (d) consists of a neutron (n) and a proton (p) bound by 2.2 MeV , the triton (t) of 2 n’s and a p bound by 8.5 MeV , and 4He of 2 n’s and 2 p’s bound by 27.4 MeV . How much deuterium (in kg) is burnt in a 100 MW fusion reactor in one month (assuming 50% energy efficiency of the reactor)?