Nuclear Fusion

• What is Nuclear Fusion?

  When two small nuclei fuse to form a heavier nucleus, releasing lots of energy
• sum of the masses of the two nuclei is more than the mass of the heavier nucleus. some of the mass is converted into energy
• What is the sun?

  a natural fusion reactor
• Why is fusion not as effective as fission?

  No design has been produced that could accomplish positive net energy on earth
• Explain what happens in the process of nuclear fusion (3 marks)

  -light nuclei

  -join to form a heavier nucleus

  -(some of the) mass of the nuclei is converted to energy