Calculate and compare the energy released by (a) fusion of 1.0kg of hydrogen deep within the sun, and (b) the fission of 1.0kg of `U^(235)` in a fission reactor.

Explanation

(a) In the interior of the Sun, 4 hydrogen nuclei`(""_(1)H^(1))`combine to form a helium nucleus with a release of ~ 26 MeV of energy. Energy released by one H nucleus is
`E. = 26/4 MeV`
The energy released by fusion of 1 kg of hydrogen.
`E_(1) = (6 xx 10^(23) xx 26)/4 xx 1000` MeV
`=39 xx 10^(26)` MeV
(b) Energy released in fission of one atom of `""_(35)U^(235) = 200 MeV`
Energy released in fission of 1 kg of `""_(92)U^(235)` is
`E_(2)=(6 xx 10^(23) xx 200)/235 xx 1,000 MeV`
`=5.1 xx 10^(26)` MeV
Thus, the energy released in fusion of 1 kg of hydrogen is about 8 times.
`((39 xx 10^(26))/(5.1 xx 10^(26)) = 7.6=8)` of the energy released.
in the form of 1 kg of uranium.