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Why is nuclear fusion needed?
Fusion has the potential to provide the kind of baseload energy needed to provide electricity to our cities and our industries. Sustainability: Fusion fuels are widely available and nearly inexhaustible. No long-lived radioactive waste: Nuclear fusion reactors produce no high activity, long-lived nuclear waste.
What conditions are required to fuse two nuclei together?
Conditions for Nuclear Fusion High temperature gives the hydrogen atoms enough energy to overcome the electrical repulsion between the protons. Fusion requires temperatures of about 100 million Kelvin (approximately six times hotter than the sun’s core).
What happens when you combine two nuclei?
In nuclear fusion, two nuclei combine to form a single, larger nucleus. If the mass of the resultant nucleus is less than the original two particles, then energy is released in the process. By far, the most common fusion reaction in nature combines two hydrogen atoms to make a helium atom.
Why do two nuclei naturally repel each other?
At large distances, two nuclei repel one another because of the repulsive electrostatic force between their positively charged protons. If two nuclei can be brought close enough together, however, the electrostatic repulsion can be overcome by the attractive nuclear force, which is stronger at close distances.
Why did the nucleus stay together?
The strong nuclear force. At extremely short range, it is stronger than electrostatic repulsion, and allows protons to stick together in a nucleus even though their charges repel each other.
Why did the nucleus stay together when?
Inside the nucleus, the attractive strong nuclear force between protons outweighs the repulsive electromagnetic force and keeps the nucleus stable. Outside the nucleus, the electromagnetic force is stronger and protons repel each other.
Where does nuclear fusion happen naturally?
our sun
Fusion reactions occur naturally in stars like our sun, where two hydrogen nuclei fuse together under high temperatures and pressure to form a nucleus of helium. Energy is released as electromagnetic radiation such as light, infra-red radiation and ultra violet radiation , which then travels through space.
How do you fuse nuclei?
In fusion reactions, two light atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus and release a large amount of energy. The basic concept behind any fusion reaction is to bring two light nuclei close enough so the residual strong force (nuclear force) in their nuclei will pull them together.
What happens when two nuclei fuse?
In fusion reactions, two light atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus and release a large amount of energy. The basic concept behind any fusion reaction is to bring two light nuclei close enough so the residual strong force (nuclear force) in their nuclei will pull them together.
What happens when two hydrogen atoms fuse together?
In fusion reactions, two light atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus and release a large amount of energy. The basic concept behind any fusion reaction is to bring two light nuclei close enough so the residual strong force (nuclear force) in their nuclei will pull them together. Why is it hard to get two hydrogen atoms to fuse?
How does nuclear fusion occur in the Sun?
Nuclear fusion is when two small, light nuclei collide and join together to make a heavier nucleus. The mass of one helium nucleus is less than the mass of four hydrogen nuclei added together. The missing mass, sometimes called mass defect, is converted to energy, which radiates away. This is seen happening in the Sun.
Why do atoms need to be bang together to fuse?
Nuclei with more protons have a bigger electric charge, so they repel each other with more strength. To get them to fuse you need to bang them together more violently. The heavier the source elements, the less extra glue you get out of the fusion. What happens when two atoms fuse together completely?