Nuclear fusion: Atomic structure: Physics: GCSE (9:1)

• Nuclear fusion

  The joining of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus

  
• Fusion products

  A heavier nucleus and energy in the form of gamma rays

  
• Spontaneous fusion


  Occurs in stars when two hydrogen nuclei fuse together to form a nucleus of helium

  
• Conditions required for fusion

  Very high temperatures and pressure
• Mass-energy conversion


  When some of the mass of the fusing particles is converted into the energy of the emitted radiation

  
• repulsion


  it requires the fusing of nuclei, which are positive particles; two positive charges repel each other

  
• What happens when two nuclei approach each other

  They repel each other because they have the same charge

  
• How to overcome nuclei repulsion

  Fusion has to happen under intense pressure and very high temperatures in order to force the nuclei together
• Advantages of fusion over fission

  There are no radioactive waste products from fusion
• Disadvantages of fusion over fission

  The very high temperatures and pressures required for fusion makes it very difficult to build a viable power station