Question

Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen. The nucleus of a deuterium atom consists of one proton and one neutron. When two deuterium nuclei fuse, helium-3 is formed, and a neutron is emitted. Which equation illustrates this process?
2 upper H subscript 2 plus upper o subscript 2 right arrow 2 upper H subscript 2 upper O.
2 superscript 2 subscript 1 upper H right arrow superscript 3 subscript 1 H plus superscript 1 superscript 1 H.
2 superscript 1 subscript 1 upper H right arrow superscript 2 subscript 1 H plus superscript 0 subscript 1 e.
2 superscript 2 subscript 1 upper H right arrow superscript 3 subscript 2 upper H e plus superscript 1 subscript 0 n.

Answer 1

The fourth equation:
2^2_1 H → ^3_2 He + ^1_0 n

This shows two deuterium nuclei (each ^2_1H) fusing to form helium-3 (^3_2He) and a neutron (^1_0n); mass and charge are conserved.