2007-06-08 01:55:28 · 5 answers · asked by chol B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It is related to binding energy withing the nucleus and the tiny amount of mass that is converted to energy - even in fusion.
2007-06-08 01:58:07 · answer #1 · answered by physandchemteach 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The energy that's binding the two free nuclei together as one newly formed nucleus is the energy that is released in the form of radiation and/or other particles. If no energy is released, the newly formed nucleus would have no binding energy and therefore be unstable or not formed in the first place.
2007-06-08 10:06:11 · answer #2 · answered by Rinchen Dawa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
key concept behind the release of energy in fusion reactions is binding energy. Binding energy is the energy that is lost when a nucleus is created from protons and neutrons. If you added up the total mass of the nucleons (protons and neutrons) that compose an atom, you would notice that this sum is less than the actual mass of the atom. This missing mass, called the mass defect, is a measure of the atom's binding energy.
Directly related to E=mc^2
You can calculate the total energy by finding the missing mass multiplied by the speed of light (c) squared (a very large number).
2007-06-08 09:14:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
E = mc^2. The amount of matter that is converted to energy is multiplied by the square of the constant of the speed of light. From this you can see why such a reaction is so powerful.
2007-06-08 09:05:28 · answer #4 · answered by Martin K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything has stored energy, when fusion occurs the energy is converted to the form of heat and radiation.
2007-06-08 09:04:02 · answer #5 · answered by Kemikal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋