Fusion

• What is nuclear fusion?

  Joining two lighter nuclei to form a larger nucleus
• What happens when two hydrogen nuclei fuse?

  They form helium-3 and release energy
• Why does fusion release large amounts of energy?

  Mass is converted to energy during fusion
• What is the equation that relates mass and energy?

  Einstein's $E =$$mc^2$
• How is energy calculated from mass loss in fusion?

  Multiply mass loss by the speed of light squared
• What is the approximate value of the speed of light squared?

  About $9 \times 10^{16}$
• What is a significant advantage of nuclear fusion?

  It doesn't produce radioactive waste
• What is required for nuclear fusion to occur?

  High temperatures and pressures
• At what temperature does nuclear fusion occur?

  About 10 million degrees Celsius
• Why can't we currently perform nuclear fusion on Earth?

  It requires extremely high temperatures and pressures
• What is the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?

  Fusion fuses light nuclei; fission splits heavy nuclei
• What is produced during nuclear fission?

  Two smaller nuclei from a larger unstable nucleus
• Which process produces more energy, fusion or fission?

  Nuclear fusion produces more energy
• What process do we use on Earth to generate electricity?

  Nuclear fission
• What are the key characteristics of nuclear fusion?

  • Fuses light nuclei to form heavier nuclei
  • Releases large amounts of energy
  • Occurs at high temperatures (10 million °C)
  • Does not produce radioactive waste
  • Fuel (hydrogen) is abundant
• What are the key characteristics of nuclear fission?

  • Splits large unstable nuclei into smaller nuclei
  • Produces energy, but less than fusion
  • Used for electricity generation on Earth
  • Can produce radioactive waste