In a conceptual nuclear fusion power plant, energy is generated through the mass defect of hydrogen nuclei fusing into helium. The energy, EEE, released is related to the decrease in mass, Δm\Delta mΔm, by the equation:
E=Δm c2 E = \Delta m \, c^2 E=Δmc2where c=3.00×108 m s−1c = 3.00 \times 10^8 \text{ m s}^{-1}c=3.00×108 m s−1 is the speed of light in a vacuum.
The reactor operates at a constant thermal power output of 4.50 × 109 W.
Calculate the mass lost by the fuel in 1 hour of continuous operation. Give your answer in kilograms.
94 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 6.5 Uses and dangers of radioactivity. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.