Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy
Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy is the amount of energy released when a deuterium nucleus fuses with a tritium nucleus, producing a neutron and an alpha particle.
Also known as: D-T fusion energy, DT fusion reaction
How big is it?
2.82 × 10⁻¹² J · released energy per reaction
Released energy per reaction · specified
Typical recorded range: 2.81 × 10⁻¹² J to 2.83 × 10⁻¹² J.
A little perspective
Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy vs One-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton: energy comparison
The energy per proton of a one-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton is about 56.8 times the energy released by a deuterium–tritium fusion reaction.
ENERGY STORED OR TRANSFERRED
Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy is the amount of energy released when a deuterium nucleus fuses with a tritium nucleus, producing a neutron and an alpha particle.
A one-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton is a hydrogen nucleus travelling through space with a kinetic energy of 1 GeV.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy
Released energy per reaction: 2.82 × 10⁻¹² J; specified; range 2.81 × 10⁻¹² J–2.83 × 10⁻¹² J.
One D–T fusion reaction releases about 17.6 MeV, or 2.82 × 10⁻¹² J, shared mainly by a neutron and an alpha particle. This is per reaction, not reactor output.
IAEA — Deuterium–tritium fusion
The marked released energy per reaction is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
One-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton
Energy per proton: 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁰ J; exact conversion.
A proton energy of exactly 1 GeV converts to 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁰ J using the exact SI electronvolt conversion. “Cosmic ray” describes the particle context, not an additional energy uncertainty.
NIST — 2022 CODATA fundamental constants
The marked energy per proton is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 2.82 × 10⁻¹² J
We compare the energy released by a deuterium–tritium fusion reaction. This value follows a stated specification; check its scope in the notes. The recorded range is 2.81 × 10⁻¹² J to 2.83 × 10⁻¹² J.
One D–T fusion reaction releases about 17.6 MeV, or 2.82 × 10⁻¹² J, shared mainly by a neutron and an alpha particle. This is per reaction, not reactor output.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.82 × 10⁻¹² J | 2.81 × 10⁻¹² J to 2.83 × 10⁻¹² J | specified |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueEnergyHydrogen atom ground-state binding energy13.61 eVGround-state binding energyHydrogen atom ground-state binding energy is the energy needed to remove the electron from a hydrogen atom in its lowest energy state.Nearest higher valueEnergyOne-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton1.602 × 10⁻¹⁰ JEnergy per protonA one-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton is a hydrogen nucleus travelling through space with a kinetic energy of 1 GeV.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- IAEA — Deuterium–tritium fusionA D–T reaction releases approximately 17.6 MeV.
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