(a) Explain: (i) Fusion. (ii) Fission. (b) State three advantages of fusion over fission in the generation of power (c) Calculate in joules, the binding ene...

Answer Details

(a)(i) Fusion: the joining together of two light nuclei to form a single heavier nucleus, with the release of a large amount of energy.

(ii) Fission: the splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei of comparable mass (together with a few neutrons), with the release of a large amount of energy.

(b) Three advantages of fusion over fission for power generation:

1. Fusion releases more energy per unit mass of fuel than fission.
2. Its fuel (hydrogen isotopes from water) is very cheap and practically unlimited.
3. Its products are non-radioactive (or far less radioactive), so there is little dangerous nuclear waste, and there is no risk of an uncontrolled chain reaction.

(c) Binding energy of \( ^{59}_{27}\text{Co} \): it has \(27\) protons and \(59 - 27 = 32\) neutrons.

Total mass of the separate nucleons:

\[ = 27(1.00783) + 32(1.00867) = 27.2114 + 32.2774 = 59.4888\,\text{u} \]

Mass defect:

\[ \Delta m = 59.4888 - 58.9332 = 0.5556\,\text{u} \]

Binding energy (using \(1\,\text{u} = 931\,\text{MeV}\)):

\[ E = 0.5556 \times 931 = 517.3\,\text{MeV} \]

Converting to joules \((1\,\text{MeV} = 10^{6}\times1.6\times10^{-19}\,\text{J}):\)

\[ E = 517.3\times10^{6} \times 1.6\times10^{-19} = 8.28\times10^{-11}\,\text{J} \]

Answer: the binding energy is about \(8.28\times10^{-11}\,\text{J}\).