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Nuclear fusion involves the joining together of two atomic nuclei, fusing them into a single nucleus. When you join two nuclei together (usually light nuclei with only a few protons and/or neutrons), a tremendous amount of energy is released. Just as it takes a tremendous amount of energy to pull apart the pieces of a nucleus, when you put two pieces together, a lot of energy is released.

Fusion is often confused with nuclear fission, but they are very different. Fission involves the breaking apart of a single nucleus into two smaller nuclei.

Fusion is joining nuclei. Fission is breaking apart a nucleus.

A tremendous amount of energy is released upon joining two nuclei together (it is this reaction that is happening inside the sun). It also takes a huge amount of energy to get this reaction to occur. The only way we currently know how to start a nuclear fusion reaction efficiently is to use an atomic bomb to get it started! This is how much energy you need to start the reaction! There are several other ways that we know of to start fusion reactions, but they all require more energy input than you get as energy output.

There is a tremendous amount of research currently on so-called "cold fusion" or a way to do fusion without this huge amount of energy input. Currently all known methods involve putting in MORE energy than you get out! That's not a good design for a power plant, to say the least (nor is having atomic bombs going off inside to keep the reactors going!).

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Related Questions

Is the sun's energy generated through nuclear fission or fusion?

The sun's energy is generated through nuclear fusion.


What is the heat and energy of a star is generated by?

The energy in a star is generated by nuclear fusion.


Is the energy from a star generated by nuclear fusion?

Yes.


How often is energy released during nuclear fusion?

Energy is released continuously during nuclear fusion, as atoms combine to form heavier elements. This process occurs at extremely high temperatures and pressures, causing a constant stream of energy to be generated.


Is nuclear fusion in the sun wind energy?

No, nuclear fusion in the sun is not wind energy. Wind energy is generated from the kinetic energy of moving air masses, while nuclear fusion in the sun is the process by which the sun produces energy through the fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium.


What is the sun's source of enegry?

The Sun's energy is generated by nuclear fusion, the fusion of hydrogen into helium in the core of the Sun.


What is the difference between mechanical energy and nuclear energy?

Mechanical energy is energy generated through motion, while nuclear energy is generated through either fusion (the combining of atoms), or fission (the breakdown of atoms). stars generate fusion, and nuclear power plants, use uranium for fission.


Is a star's energy a generated by nuclear reactions in the center?

Yes, that's correct. Specifically, by nuclear fusion.


Is fusion nuclear energy or chemical energy?

Nuclear fusion produces nuclear energy


What is generated in the suns core?

Helium is generated in the core of our sun by nuclear synthesis .During the nuclear fusion inside the sun , hydrogen is fused into helium .the main products generated in this reaction are - Gamma ray photon, positron, neutrino, isotopes of hydrogen and helium and large amount of energy .


What is the source of a star's light?

The main source of a star's light is nuclear fusion in its core. This process involves the conversion of hydrogen into helium, releasing energy in the form of light and heat. The energy generated by nuclear fusion is what makes stars shine brightly.


How much heat is generated in a nuclear fusion?

In nuclear fusion, a small amount of heat is generated due to the high temperatures required to fuse atomic nuclei together. This heat can be harnessed to produce electricity through various methods, such as heating water to create steam to drive a turbine. However, the amount of energy produced by fusion reactions is significantly greater than the heat generated.