Robin, > As they approach, the first bond grows weaker as the second bond grows stronger:- N > P NP followed by N PNP, and 2 D has become N + He3. The force required to tear > the D apart is supplied by the growing force between the P and the other D. The net > reaction is exothermic, and the other reaction resulting in P + T works about as > well.
I can't disagree except to say that the reason the two got that close may involve an 'extra' energy component which can be supplied by the stripping reaction. Now can you figure out how do we get helium4 in a three body reaction? Jones
