Which of the following is the correct nuclear equation for the fusion of hydrogen-3 (tritium) with hydrogen-1 (protium) to form helium-4?

• A. ^{3}H + ^{1}H ightarrow ^{4}He + n
• B. ^{3}H + ^{1}H ightarrow ^{4}He + ^{2}H
• C. ^{3}H + ^{1}H ightarrow ^{3}He + ^{1}n
• D. ^{3}H + ^{1}H ightarrow ^{4}He + ^{1}H

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants: hydrogen-3 (tritium) is represented as \(^{3}\mathrm{H}\) and hydrogen-1 (protium) as \(^{1}\mathrm{H}\).
2. Write the general form of the nuclear reaction: \(^{3}\mathrm{H} + ^{1}\mathrm{H} \rightarrow\) products.
3. Apply conservation of nucleon number (mass number) and proton number (atomic number) to determine the products. The total mass number on the left is \$3 + 1 = 4\(, and the total atomic number is \)1 + 1 = 2$.
4. Recognize that helium-4 (\(^{4}\mathrm{He}\)) has a mass number of 4 and atomic number 2, matching the combined nucleons and protons from the reactants, so it is a likely product.
5. Since the total mass number and atomic number must be conserved, determine the other product by subtracting the helium-4 nucleus from the total reactants, which results in a neutron (\(^{1}\mathrm{n}\)) as the other product.