Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fusion is a process in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This process powers the sun and other stars and has the potential to provide a clean and virtually limitless source of energy here on Earth.

How does nuclear fusion work?

In nuclear fusion, the nuclei of two light elements, such as hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium, are forced together at extremely high temperatures and pressures. This causes the nuclei to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between them and merge to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process.

Advantages of nuclear fusion

• Abundant fuel supply
• No greenhouse gas emissions
• No long-lived radioactive waste
• Potentially limitless source of energy

Challenges of nuclear fusion

• High temperatures and pressures required for fusion
• Containment of the hot plasma
• Development of practical fusion reactors

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember about nuclear fusion:

1. What is nuclear fusion?
2. How does nuclear fusion differ from nuclear fission?
3. What are the potential advantages of nuclear fusion as a source of energy?
4. What are the main challenges of achieving practical nuclear fusion reactions?
5. What are some current research and development efforts in the field of nuclear fusion?

Remember to review the key concepts and seek to understand the underlying principles of nuclear fusion to gain a deeper understanding of this important topic!