Some nuclear fission reactors use plutonium-239 as fuel. In the future, there is interest in using a deuterium-deuterium fuel mixture in fusion reactors.

Here is some information and data on these fission and fusion reactions:

	Fission reactor	Fusion reactor
Typical reaction	$01n^{1}_{0}\text{n} + {}^{239}_{94}\text{Pu} \to {}^{137}_{54}\text{Xe} + {}^{100}_{40}\text{Zr} + 3\,^{1}_{0}\text{n}$	$12H+12H→13H+11p^{2}_{1}\text{H} + {}^{2}_{1}\text{H} \to {}^{3}_{1}\text{H} + {}^{1}_{1}\text{p}$
Approximate energy produced in each reaction	$MeV195\text{ MeV}$	$MeV4.03\text{ MeV}$
Molar mass of fuel	plutonium-239: $mol−10.239\text{ kg mol}^{-1}$	D-D reacting pair: $mol−10.004\text{ kg mol}^{-1}$

Describe the similarities and the differences between fission and fusion reactions.
Explain, with the help of calculations, which fuel produces more energy per kilogram.

Some nuclear fission reactors use plutonium-239 as fuel. In the future, there is interest in using a deuterium-deuterium fuel mixture in fusion reactors.

Here is some information and data on these fission and fusion reactions:

	Fission reactor	Fusion reactor
Typical reaction	$01n^{1}_{0}\text{n} + {}^{239}_{94}\text{Pu} \to {}^{137}_{54}\text{Xe} + {}^{100}_{40}\text{Zr} + 3\,^{1}_{0}\text{n}$	$12H+12H→13H+11p^{2}_{1}\text{H} + {}^{2}_{1}\text{H} \to {}^{3}_{1}\text{H} + {}^{1}_{1}\text{p}$
Approximate energy produced in each reaction	$MeV195\text{ MeV}$	$MeV4.03\text{ MeV}$
Molar mass of fuel	plutonium-239: $mol−10.239\text{ kg mol}^{-1}$	D-D reacting pair: $mol−10.004\text{ kg mol}^{-1}$

Describe the similarities and the differences between fission and fusion reactions.
Explain, with the help of calculations, which fuel produces more energy per kilogram.

Nuclear and particle physics

Question 9

Markscheme

Nuclear and particle physics

Question 9

Markscheme

Nuclear and particle physics

Question 9

Nuclear and particle physics Questions

Nuclear and particle physics

Question 9

Nuclear and particle physics Questions