Question

Suppose two deuterons must get as close as ${10}^{-14}$ in order for the nuclear force to overcome the repulsive electrostatic force. The height of the electrostatic barrier is nearest to

• A. 0.14MeV
• B. 2.3MeV
• C. 1.8 x 10 meV
• D. 0.56MeV

Answer 1

The correct option is A

0.14MeV

Barrier height

$=\frac{1}{4\pi {\epsilon }_0}\frac{e^2}{r_e}\left(ineV\right)=\frac{9\times {10}^9\times 1.6\times {10}^{-19}}{{10}^{-14}}eV=1.4\times {10}^{5}eV$