Difference between revisions of "Nuclear Fusion"

Revision as of 08:27, 8 April 2019

Nuclear fusion is a process in which two small atomic nuclei join together to become a larger nucleus.

In a nuclear fusion reaction the products have less mass than the reactants as some of the rest mass is converted into energy in the process.

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. \({}_1^1H + {}_1^3H \rightarrow {}_2^4He\)

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 : In a '''nuclear fusion reaction''' the products have less [[mass]] than the reactants as some of the [[Rest Mass Energy|rest mass]] is converted into [[energy]] in the process.
 : For a '''fusion''' [[Nuclear Reaction|reaction]] to occur the two [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]] must have enough [[Kinetic Energy Store|kinetic energy]] to overcome the [[Electrostatic Force|electrostatic force]] of repulsion between the [[Positive Charge|positively charged]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]].
-: To provide enough [[Kinetic Energy Store|kinetic energy]] to the [[Atomic Nuclei|nuclei]] the [[substance]] must be [[heat]]ed to a [[temperature]] of several million [[Degrees Celsius|degrees Celsius]].
+: To provide enough [[Kinetic Energy Store|kinetic energy]] to the [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]] the [[substance]] must be [[heat]]ed to a [[temperature]] of several million [[Degrees Celsius|degrees Celsius]].
 : '''Nuclear fusion''' occurs naturally in the centre of a [[Star]] due to the high [[temperature]]s and [[pressure]].
 : '''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]].