Difference between revisions of "Nuclear Fusion"
Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="height:20px; width:500px; text-align:center;" |'''Fusion''' of two [[Hydrogen]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]] ([[proton]]s) produces a [[Deuterium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]]. | | style="height:20px; width:500px; text-align:center;" |'''Fusion''' of two [[Hydrogen]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]] ([[proton]]s) produces a [[Deuterium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]]. | ||
− | <math>{}_1^1H + {}_1^1H \rightarrow {}_1^2H</math> | + | <math>{}_1^1H + {}_1^1H \rightarrow {}_1^2H + {}_{-1}^0\beta</math> |
|} | |} | ||
Revision as of 13:24, 11 March 2019
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Nuclear fusion is a process in which two small atomic nuclei join together to become a larger nucleus.
About Nuclear Fusion
- For a fusion reaction to occur the two nuclei must have enough kinetic energy to overcome the electrostatic force of repulsion between the positively charged nuclei.
- To provide enough kinetic energy to the nuclei the substance must be heated to a temperature of several million degrees Celsius.
- Nuclear fusion occurs naturally in the centre of a Star due to the high temperatures and pressure.
- Nuclear fusion is possible in laboratories on Earth but it cannot be sustained for long periods of time to produce enough energy to be useful as an energy resource.
- Nuclear fusion in laboratories on Earth must be done at much higher temperature than in the centre of Stars because the centre of Stars is a much higher pressure so nuclei collide more often.
Fusion of two Hydrogen nuclei (protons) produces a Deuterium nucleus.
\({}_1^1H + {}_1^1H \rightarrow {}_1^2H + {}_{-1}^0\beta\) |
|-
|
|
|- | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |Text | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |Text |}