Nuclear Fusion

• What is nuclear fusion?


  Nuclear fusion is when two lighter nuclei join to form a single larger nucleus.
• What happens when two hydrogen nuclei fuse together?


  They can form helium-3 and release a large amount of energy.
• Why does fusion produce large amounts of energy?


  Some of the mass of the original nuclei is converted to energy.
• What is the relationship between mass and energy in fusion?


  Mass is converted to energy according to Einstein's equation $E =$$mc^2$.
• What does the equation $E =$$mc^2$ represent in the context of fusion?


  It shows how to calculate the energy released from the mass lost during fusion.
• What is the approximate value of the speed of light squared?


  About $9 \times 10^{16}$.
• What is a significant advantage of nuclear fusion compared to other energy sources?


  Nuclear fusion does not produce any radioactive waste.
• What is required for nuclear fusion to occur?


  Very high temperatures and pressures, around 10 million degrees Celsius.
• Why can't we currently perform nuclear fusion on Earth?


  Because it requires extremely high temperatures and pressures that we cannot achieve.
• How does nuclear fusion differ from nuclear fission?


  Nuclear fusion fuses light nuclei to form heavier nuclei, while fission splits large unstable nuclei into smaller ones.
• What type of energy production do we use on Earth?

  We use nuclear fission to generate electricity.
• Which process releases more energy, fusion or fission?

  Nuclear fusion releases more energy than nuclear fission.
• What are the key characteristics of nuclear fusion?


  • Fuses light nuclei to form heavier nuclei
  • Releases large amounts of energy
  • Does not produce radioactive waste
  • Requires extremely high temperatures and pressures
• What are the differences between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?

  Nuclear Fusion:

  • Fuses light nuclei
  • Releases more energy
  • Occurs in stars

  
  

  Nuclear Fission:

  • Splits large unstable nuclei
  • Releases less energy
  • Used on Earth for electricity generation