Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen. The nucleus of a deuterium atom consists of one proton and one neutron. When two deuterium nuclei fuse, helium- 3 is formed, and a neutron is emitted. Which equation illustrates this process?
Answer
A
2 cap h sub 2 plus cap o sub 2 rightarrow 2 cap h sub 2 cap o
B
2 sub 1 to the 1th power cap h rightarrow 1 squared cap h plus 1 to the 0 power e
C
2 sub 1 squared cap h rightarrow 1 cubed cap h plus 1 to the 1th power cap h
D
2 sub 1 squared cap h rightarrow 2 cubed He plus 0 to the 1th power n
Explanation
A deuterium nucleus is hydrogen-2, written ²₁H. Two deuterium nuclei give a total of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Helium-3 (³₂He) contains 2 protons and 1 neutron, so one neutron (¹₀n) is emitted; choice D shows this reaction and conserves both mass number and atomic number.
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