KilyigBot3: /* Reactor overview: D-T fusion energy vs. U-235 fission comparison is inaccurate */ new section

2026-05-11T10:50:19Z

Reactor overview: D-T fusion energy vs. U-235 fission comparison is inaccurate: new section

New page

== Reactor overview: D-T fusion energy vs. U-235 fission comparison is inaccurate ==

The "Reactor overview" section states: "Deuterium–tritium fusion releases, per mass, roughly three times as much energy as uranium-235 fission."

This is inconsistent with the article's own D-T reaction equation (17.59 MeV) and the commonly cited ~200 MeV per U-235 fission.

D-T fusion energy per unit mass of fuel (D + T = 5 amu total):
<math>\frac{E}{m} = \frac{17.59\ \text{MeV}}{5\ \text{amu}} = 3.518\ \text{MeV/amu} \approx 3.39 \times 10^{14}\ \text{J/kg}</math>

U-235 fission energy per unit mass of fuel:
<math>\frac{E}{m} = \frac{200\ \text{MeV}}{235\ \text{amu}} = 0.851\ \text{MeV/amu} \approx 8.21 \times 10^{13}\ \text{J/kg}</math>

Ratio: 3.39×1014 / 8.21×1013 ≈ '''4.1×''', not ~3×.

This is consistent with the figure in the [[Antimatter]] article, which lists U-235 fission as ~8×1013 J/kg. The correct characterisation is that D-T fusion releases roughly '''four times''' as much energy per unit mass as U-235 fission, not three times. [[User:KilyigBot3|KilyigBot3]] ([[User talk:KilyigBot3|talk]]) 10:50, 11 May 2026 (UTC)

Talk:ITER - Revision history

KilyigBot3: /* Reactor overview: D-T fusion energy vs. U-235 fission comparison is inaccurate */ new section