In deuterium fusion, 2H +2H -> 3H +1H + Energy The mass of deuterium (2H) is 2.0

Question

In deuterium fusion, 2H +2H -> 3H +1H + Energy The mass of deuterium (2H) is 2.014101778 AMU, the mass of tritium (3H) is 3.016049 AMU, and the mass of hydrogen (1H) is 1.007825032 AMU.

A: From these masses, how much energy is released in the preceding reaction, in eV?

B: 0:01% of H on earth is deuterium. The earth's oceans contain 1021 kg of water (H2O). Roughly how much energy could be extracted from the ocean's deuterium in 100% effcient fusion reactors by the above reaction?

C: The earth has roughly 1015 kg of known recoverable fossil fuels, which are hydrocarbons. Estimating that each fossil fuel "atom" will release around 1 eV in a chemical reaction, roughly how much energy could be extracted from our remaining known fossil fuel stores in 100% effcient chemical reactors (traditional power plants)?

D: Current global power use is around 1013 W. How long before we run out of power, assuming that rate stays constant, all power comes from fossil fuels, and we don't discover any new deposits?

E: How long before we run out of power if we were able to get 2H fusion to work as in part B?

Explanation / Answer

a) Mass of the reactants: 2*2.014101778 = 4.028203556 amu

Mass of products: 3.016049+1.007825032 = 4.023874032 amu

Mass defect = 4.028203556-4.023874032 = .004329524 amu

Hence energy in eV,  .004329524 amu is  .004329524 amu *9.31*10^8eV = 4.03*10^6eV

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