Nuclear Fusion

Energy is released during nuclear fusion and fission due to the conversion of mass into energy, as described by Einstein's equation E=mc². In fusion, lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, resulting in a mass deficit that is converted into energy. In fission, a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei, also producing a mass deficit and releasing energy. Both processes occur because the products have a lower total mass than the reactants, leading to the release of energy.

Main sequence stars primarily undergo hydrogen fusion, specifically the process known as the proton-proton chain reaction. In this process, hydrogen nuclei (protons) combine to form helium nuclei, releasing energy in the form of gamma rays. This energy production is what sustains the star's luminosity and balances gravitational collapse. As a star evolves, it may eventually fuse heavier elements, but hydrogen fusion is the dominant process during the main sequence phase.

Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a significant amount of energy; a real-world example is the fusion that powers the sun. In contrast, nuclear fission involves the splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei, also releasing energy, and is utilized in nuclear power plants, such as those using uranium-235. Both processes are fundamental to nuclear energy but operate on different principles and reactants.

Fusion in the neck, often referred to as cervical spinal fusion, is a surgical procedure aimed at joining two or more vertebrae to alleviate pain, stabilize the spine, or correct deformities. This procedure is typically performed to address conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. By using bone grafts and sometimes metal plates or screws, the surgery promotes bone growth between the vertebrae, ultimately healing and providing stability to the affected area. Recovery can vary, with rehabilitation often required to restore mobility and strength.

Lack of fusion refers to a condition where two materials, such as metals in welding, do not bond at all, resulting in a complete separation at the joint. Incomplete fusion, on the other hand, occurs when there is partial bonding between the materials, leading to weak spots or voids within the joint. While lack of fusion results in a total failure of the connection, incomplete fusion may still offer some structural integrity but is not reliable for load-bearing applications. Both issues can compromise the strength and durability of welded joints.

The main type of fusion happening in the sun is proton-proton fusion. This process involves hydrogen nuclei (protons) combining to form helium nuclei, releasing energy in the form of gamma rays and neutrinos.

In nuclear fusion of hydrogen, the transformation of mass into energy occurs. This is in accordance with Einstein's equation E=mc^2, where a small amount of mass is converted into a large amount of energy.

No, nuclear fusion produces vastly more power than lightning. Nuclear fusion is the energy source of the sun and other stars, generating massive amounts of energy through the fusion of atoms. Lightning, while powerful in a localized sense, is a discharge of static electricity that pales in comparison to the energy output of nuclear fusion.

Nuclear explosive devices have been built as small as cylinders 6 inches in diameter and 20 inches long or as small as spheres 11 inches in diameter to as large as cylinders 20 feet in diameter and 80 feet tall.

If you meant explosive yield then devices have been built with yields as low as 10 tons to over 50 megatons.

The physical size and yield are not necessarily proportional.

The mass lost in nuclear fusion is converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2. This energy is released in the form of photons, such as gamma rays, and contributes to sustaining the fusion reaction.

Because you are using two positively charged nuclei you must have a lot of heat to overcome the repelling nature. At the moment on earth we cannot get to these temperatures - therefore at this present time it is not used.

The conditions at the sun's core give very high pressure due to the gravitational forces, and also a high enough temperature. The earth isn't big enough to produce these conditions, and in any case is mostly made of heavy materials which would not undergo fusion. Efforts to make fusion on earth are using the two materials deuterium and tritium which have the lowest threshold conditions for fusion to start, but even so it is necessary to achieve higher temperatures than even on the sun to make a feasible power plant. In fact fusion on the sun has a surprisingly low power density, and a plant operating at those conditions would have to be huge to produce any useful power. Nothing achieved yet on earth has produced more power output than the input, but development continues and hopefully a solution will eventually be found. If not, mankind will run out of power (but not in our lifetimes).

Molecular bonding involves the sharing or transfer of electrons between atoms to form molecules, creating chemical compounds. Nuclear fusion is a process in which atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing large amounts of energy in the process. While molecular bonding occurs at the atomic level, nuclear fusion involves the fusion of atomic nuclei at the nuclear level.

The speed of the particles.

In other words heat, can bring particles close enough together so that the nuclear forces take over. These are stronger than the repulsion of the electric charges between the particles.

This is why nuclear fusion needs extreme temperatures.

Yes, all stars produce energy through the process of nuclear fusion in their cores. This is where hydrogen atoms are fused to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy in the form of heat and light.

Yes, radiation is produced in the sun as a result of nuclear fusion reactions occurring in its core. These reactions convert hydrogen atoms into helium, releasing energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

A tokamak is a type of magnetic confinement device used to create controlled nuclear fusion reactions. It uses magnetic fields to confine a hot plasma of hydrogen isotopes, forcing them to collide and fuse together, releasing energy in the process. The goal is to achieve sustained fusion reactions that could potentially provide a clean and abundant source of energy in the future.

Nuclear fusion doesn't take place in a white dwarf because the core temperature and pressure aren't high enough to initiate the fusion of heavier elements such as carbon and oxygen. White dwarfs have already exhausted their nuclear fuel and are essentially the leftover cores of stars that have gone through their fusion stages.

Gravity will cause a star to become smaller, because it pulls matter towards the star's core and causes it to contract. On the other hand, nuclear fusion will cause a star to become larger, because it produces an outward pressure, pushing the star's matter outwards and causing it to expand.

In a fusion reaction, the total mass of the reaction products is less than the total mass of the initial reactants due to the conversion of mass into energy according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2. This difference in mass is known as the mass defect, and the lost mass is converted into energy during the fusion reaction.

Nuclear fusion is considered to be inherently safer than nuclear fission because it does not involve chain reactions and cannot lead to meltdowns or explosions. However, there are still risks associated with equipment malfunctions, radioactivity, and other operational issues that need to be carefully managed to ensure safety. Overall, while fusion is not accident-prone in the same way as fission, it still requires close attention to safety protocols.

A nebula is a massive cloud of gas and other materials that is revolving around one focal point which is the most massive point and therefore has the strongest gravity which makes the rest of the cloud revolve around it. This eventually creates a star. Nuclear fusion on the other hand is simply the combination of two particles such as when hydrogen atoms collide to create helium (this is the most common kind of fusion in stars). Basically fusion takes two and makes one (basically, it can emit more particles too) while a nebula is a giant space cloud, the birth of stars.

Fusion is the process by which the sun produces energy. In the sun's core, hydrogen atoms fuse together to form helium, releasing large amounts of energy in the form of heat and light in the process. This continuous fusion reaction is what powers the sun and allows it to shine.