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Nuclear fusion is a subject in which most nuclear engineers have little knowledge and no experience, however the following is extracted from Wikipedia entries. A contribution from someone with experience in this field would be welcome.
The most successful fusion experiment so far is believed to be in the Joint European Torus (JET) which was built in the UK. In 1997 this achieved a peak fusion power of 16.1 MW, with more than 10 MW sustained for 0.5 sec. The heat generated by the fusion was 65 percent of the heat input. This experiment used the deuterium/tritium fuel reaction, which is the most promising on theoretical predictions.
The next step is to build a larger experiment which could be a prototype for a power producing plant if successful. This is called ITER and will be built in France, but is an international effort with most nuclear power countries involved. Building is due to start in 2008. In this design, up to 500 MW is hoped for with a burn time up to 400secs, consuming about 0.5 grams of the D/T mixture, so this gives some idea of the mass to energy conversion. Most of the energy from fusion will appear in the fast neutrons produced, which will be absorbed in shielding material surrounding the fusion chamber. There is considerable doubt about what materials could stand this intense neutron bombardment, and in general materials seem to be the main unknown. This ITER experiment will produce 5 to 10 times the energy put in to heat the plasma, if predictions are right. Results will probably not be produced for 10 years or more from now.
What else can I help you with?
How can the conversion of mass to energy be explained in the context of nuclear reactions?
In nuclear reactions, mass can be converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, Emc2. This means that a small amount of mass can be converted into a large amount of energy. This process occurs during nuclear reactions, such as nuclear fission or fusion, where the nucleus of an atom is split or combined, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of radiation.
During nuclear fission, mass is converted into what?
During nuclear fission, mass is converted into energy.
When is mass converted into energy?
Mass and energy are equivalent, so there are exchanges of between mass and energy any time there is a change in motion (kinetic energy). But Atomic energy is the most familiar conversion of mass into energy. The explosion of an nuclear bomb, or the energy generated by a nuclear reactor are consequences of conversion of mass into energy. Energy from combustion is not primarily derived from mass/energy conversion, but from exothermic chemical reactions. In fact, any such exchange between mass and energy would operate in the other direction, as gasses gain mass as they are put into motion (increased kinetic energy=increased mass). But any such gain is so tiny as to be meaningless.
Atomic energy converted to mass?
In accordance with Einstein's theory of relativity (E=mc^2), atomic energy can be converted into mass. This means that when atoms undergo nuclear reactions, small amounts of mass are converted into energy. Conversely, energy can also be converted back into mass under certain conditions.
Nuclear reaction what is lost as energy is created?
Mass.The total mass of the fragment nuclei after fission, or the composite nucleus after fusion,is less than the mass of the nuclei that entered the process.
How can the conversion of mass to energy be explained in the context of nuclear reactions?
In nuclear reactions, mass can be converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, Emc2. This means that a small amount of mass can be converted into a large amount of energy. This process occurs during nuclear reactions, such as nuclear fission or fusion, where the nucleus of an atom is split or combined, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of radiation.
In nuclear reactions what is converted into energy?
In nuclear reactions, a small amount of mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2. This means that the energy released comes from the difference in mass before and after the reaction.
During nuclear fission, mass is converted into what?
During nuclear fission, mass is converted into energy.
What does not gain or lose mass?
a closed system will not gain or lose mass
When is mass converted into energy?
Mass and energy are equivalent, so there are exchanges of between mass and energy any time there is a change in motion (kinetic energy). But Atomic energy is the most familiar conversion of mass into energy. The explosion of an nuclear bomb, or the energy generated by a nuclear reactor are consequences of conversion of mass into energy. Energy from combustion is not primarily derived from mass/energy conversion, but from exothermic chemical reactions. In fact, any such exchange between mass and energy would operate in the other direction, as gasses gain mass as they are put into motion (increased kinetic energy=increased mass). But any such gain is so tiny as to be meaningless.
How do the nuclear reactions that power stars adhere to the law of conservation of mass?
The nuclear reactions that power stars adhere to the law of conservation of mass by converting mass into energy. This process, known as nuclear fusion, involves the combination of lighter elements to form heavier elements, releasing energy in the process. Despite the mass being converted into energy, the total mass of the system remains constant, thus conserving mass.
Why the mass of a body gets converted into energy?
Actually it doesn't. In nuclear reactions, both mass and energy are conserved. Taking the Sun as an example: Mass: The light that leaves the Sun has a mass. Energy: The energy emitted by the Sun existed before the nuclear reaction, in the form of potential energy (nuclear energy in this case).
Atomic energy converted to mass?
In accordance with Einstein's theory of relativity (E=mc^2), atomic energy can be converted into mass. This means that when atoms undergo nuclear reactions, small amounts of mass are converted into energy. Conversely, energy can also be converted back into mass under certain conditions.
Nuclear reaction what is lost as energy is created?
Mass.The total mass of the fragment nuclei after fission, or the composite nucleus after fusion,is less than the mass of the nuclei that entered the process.
What happens to this lost mass?
Mass cannot be truly lost, as stated in the law of conservation of mass. It can change forms, such as being converted into energy through processes like nuclear reactions or chemical reactions. In these cases, the mass is not truly lost but rather transformed into a different state.
Who was the first person to propose that in nuclear reaction some mass is converted into energy?
Albert Einstein was the first person to propose the mass-energy equivalence principle in his famous equation E=mc^2, where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light. This laid the foundation for understanding how some mass can be converted into energy in nuclear reactions.
Does nuclear reaction convert matter into energy?
Yes, nuclear reactions convert a small amount of matter into a large amount of energy, as described by Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2. This means that a small portion of the mass of the nucleus is converted into energy during nuclear reactions.
