Difference between revisions of "Nuclear Fusion"
Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
: '''Nuclear fusion''' is possible in [[laboratory|laboratories]] on [[Earth]] but it cannot be sustained for long periods of [[time]] to produce enough [[energy]] to be useful as an [[Energy Resource|energy resource]]. | : '''Nuclear fusion''' is possible in [[laboratory|laboratories]] on [[Earth]] but it cannot be sustained for long periods of [[time]] to produce enough [[energy]] to be useful as an [[Energy Resource|energy resource]]. | ||
: '''Nuclear fusion''' in [[laboratory|laboratories]] on [[Earth]] must be done at much higher [[temperature]] than in the centre of [[Star]]s because the centre of [[Star]]s is a much higher [[pressure]] so [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]] collide more often. | : '''Nuclear fusion''' in [[laboratory|laboratories]] on [[Earth]] must be done at much higher [[temperature]] than in the centre of [[Star]]s because the centre of [[Star]]s is a much higher [[pressure]] so [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]] collide more often. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[File:FusionDTH.png|center|500px]] | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width:500px; text-align:center;" |'''Fusion''' of a [[Tritium]] and a [[Deuterium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] produces a [[Helium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]]. | ||
+ | <math>{}_1^2H + {}_1^3H \rightarrow {}_2^4He + {}_0^1n</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | This is the most common pathway for [[Nuclear Fusion|nuclear fusion]] in [[Star]]s as the [[neutron]] goes on to be captured by a [[Hydrogen]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] to become [[Deuterium]] or captured by a [[Deuterium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] to become a [[Tritium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]]. | ||
+ | |} | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
Line 24: | Line 34: | ||
| style="height:20px; width:500px; text-align:center;" |'''Fusion''' of a [[Hydrogen]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] ([[proton]]) and a [[Deuterium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] produces a [[Tritium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]]. | | style="height:20px; width:500px; text-align:center;" |'''Fusion''' of a [[Hydrogen]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] ([[proton]]) and a [[Deuterium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] produces a [[Tritium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]]. | ||
<math>{}_1^1H + {}_1^2H \rightarrow {}_1^3H + {}_{-1}^0\beta</math> | <math>{}_1^1H + {}_1^2H \rightarrow {}_1^3H + {}_{-1}^0\beta</math> | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[File:FusionDDH.png|center|500px]] | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width:500px; text-align:center;" |'''Fusion''' of two [[Deuterium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]] produces a [[Helium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]]. | ||
+ | <math>{}_1^2H + {}_1^2H \rightarrow {}_2^4He</math> | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[File:FusionPTH.png|center|500px]] | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width:500px; text-align:center;" |'''Fusion''' of a [[Hydrogen]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] ([[proton]]) and a [[Tritium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] produces a [[Helium]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]]. | ||
+ | <math>{}_1^1H + {}_1^3H \rightarrow {}_2^4He</math> | ||
|} | |} |
Revision as of 13:34, 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 a Tritium and a Deuterium nucleus produces a Helium nucleus.
\({}_1^2H + {}_1^3H \rightarrow {}_2^4He + {}_0^1n\) This is the most common pathway for nuclear fusion in Stars as the neutron goes on to be captured by a Hydrogen nucleus to become Deuterium or captured by a Deuterium nucleus to become a Tritium nucleus. |
Fusion of two Hydrogen nuclei (protons) produces a Deuterium nucleus.
\({}_1^1H + {}_1^1H \rightarrow {}_1^2H + {}_{-1}^0\beta\) |
Fusion of a Hydrogen nucleus (proton) and a Deuterium nucleus produces a Tritium nucleus.
\({}_1^1H + {}_1^2H \rightarrow {}_1^3H + {}_{-1}^0\beta\) |
Fusion of two Deuterium nuclei produces a Helium nucleus.
\({}_1^2H + {}_1^2H \rightarrow {}_2^4He\) |
Fusion of a Hydrogen nucleus (proton) and a Tritium nucleus produces a Helium nucleus.
\({}_1^1H + {}_1^3H \rightarrow {}_2^4He\) |