An important fusion reaction in both hydrogen bombs and controlled-fusion reactors is the “DT reaction,” in which a deuteron and a triton (nuclei of heavy hydrogen isotopes) combine to form an alpha particle and a neutron with the release of much energy. Use momentum conservation to explain why the neutron resulting from this reaction receives about 80% of the energy, while the alpha particle gets only about 20%.
ANSWER: STEP 1:- The atomic number and mass numbers of the given isotopes of hydrogen are shown below. So, the deuteron has 1 proton and 1 neutron. Where triton has 1 proton with 2 neutrons. When they combine together, they form an alpha particle and one speed moving neutron. STEP 2:- Imagine they both came with some initial velocities and get combined at some point. After the collision, the momentum should be conserved, as we are doing the experiment where no other force is present. Then one alpha particle formed...
