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.
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| Fusion of two Hydrogen nuclei (protons) produces a Deuterium nucleus.
\({}_1^1H + {}_1^1H \rightarrow {}_1^2H + {}_{-1}^0\beta\) |
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