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 of energy
Released energy per reaction · specified
Typical recorded range: 2.81 × 10⁻¹² J to 2.83 × 10⁻¹² J.
A little perspective
One-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton is about 56.8 times larger on this measurement.
One-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton: 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
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
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.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 2.82 × 10⁻¹² J
For comparison, this page uses released energy per reaction. The record labels this value specified, so the stated convention rather than an inferred average controls the comparison. 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 identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Deuterium–tritium fusion reaction energy 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
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These links use compatible energy records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · EnergyHydrogen atom ground-state binding energy13.61 eVHydrogen atom ground-state binding energy is the energy needed to remove the electron from a hydrogen atom in its lowest energy state.Nearest higher value · EnergyOne-gigaelectronvolt cosmic-ray proton1.602 × 10⁻¹⁰ JA 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.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
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