What alterations occur in the nuclei when deuterium and tritium combine in fusion?

Question

A. Two less massive nuclei combine to create a more substantial nucleus while releasing energy.
B. Two smaller nuclei unite to create a nucleus with a reduced number of protons while emitting energy.
C. Two smaller nuclei combine to produce a less massive nucleus while releasing energy.
D. Two smaller nuclei combine to create a nucleus with a diminished number of electrons, resulting in the release of energy.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

A. Two less massive nuclei combine to create a more substantial nucleus while releasing energy.

In the fusion of deuterium (²H) and tritium (³H), the two smaller nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, specifically helium-4 (⁴He), along with the release of a neutron and a significant amount of energy in the process. This reaction exemplifies the fusion process, where lighter nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy due to the conversion of some of the mass into energy, as described by Einstein's equation \(E=mc^2\).