Question

Scientists estimate that the world's oceans contain 1.50 ✕ 10²¹ kg of water. Of all the hydrogen nuclei in this water, 0.0156% are in the form of deuterium.

The following reaction is one way that the fusion of two deuterium nuclei can produce a more massive nucleus.

²₁D + ²₁D → ³₁T + ¹₁H

Each time two deuterons fuse in this manner, the reaction produces 4.03 MeV of kinetic energy, which can be captured to generate electricity.

(a)

How much energy (in J) would be released if all the deuterium in the oceans were fused by the reaction listed above?

J

(b)

Electric power is currently consumed at a rate of about 6.10 ✕ 10¹² W. Suppose that humans consumed electric power at 100 times this rate. Compute how long (in years) it would take, at this higher rate, to consume the energy that you determined in part (a).

Answer 1