Estimate the amount of energy released in the nuclear fusion reaction:
`_(1)H^(2)+._(1)H^(2)rarr._(2)He^(2)+._(0)n^(1)` Given that
`M(._(1)H^(2))=2.0141u, M(._(2)He^(3))=3.0160u`
`m_(n)=1.0087u` ,
where `1u=1.661xx10^(-27)kg` .
Express your answer in units of MeV.

Explanation

Here, mass of two deutrons
`=2xx2.0141=4.0282u`
Mass of `_(2)He^(3)` and neutron
`=3.0160+1.0087=4.0247u`
Loss of mass `= Deltam=4.0282-4.0247`
`=0.0035u=0.0035xx1.661xx10^(-27)kg`
Energy released `E=(Deltam)c^(2)`
`=0.0035xx1.661xx10^(-27)(3xx10^(8))^(2)"joule"`
`=52.2xx10^(-14)"joule"`
As `1MeV =1.602xx10^(-13)"joule:`
` :. ` Energy released `=(52.2xx10^(-14))/(1.602xx10^(-13))=3.26MeV`