Answer: Fusion.
- A Fission
- B Fusion
- C Equal
- D Depends on temperature
Correct answer: B. Fusion
Explanation: Fusion releases more energy per unit mass. D-T fusion yields ~14.1 MeV per event with ~5 amu total, ~ 3 MeV/amu. Fission: U-235 yields ~200 MeV with 236 amu, ~ 0.85 MeV/amu.
Binding energy per nucleon rises sharply for light nuclei, peaks around iron-56 (the most stable nucleus), then slowly declines for heavier nuclei - which is exactly why fusing light nuclei or splitting heavy nuclei both release energy: each moves the products toward this stability peak.
Concept context
Radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, and binding energy.