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Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear fusion is the phenomenon in which multiple atomic nuclei combine to form a single, larger nucleus. Fusion mostly occurs under extreme conditions, due to the large amount of energy it requires. Thus, examples of fusion tend to be exotic; such as stellar nucleosynthesis, the creation of new elements, and thermonuclear weapons.
521 Questions
What materials besides deuterium and tritium can be used for fusion?
All elements below nickel and iron on the periodic table can undergo fusion, under the proper conditions.
However due to limits on the conditions achievable within the casing of a bomb, only deuterium and tritium will work. However standard hydrogen bomb designs use the compound lithium deuteride instead (tritium is radioactive and using deuterium and tritium directly requires cryogenics severely complicating the device). Neutrons from fission cause the lithium to split, producing the tritium needed only moments before it is needed to make the bomb work.
How does nuclear fusion different to nuclear fission?
Fastern your seatbelt. We've got some ground to cover. But it won't be too difficult to grasp the fundamentals. In either fission or fussion, we are taking about nuclear processes, i.e., the physics of nuclear structure and construction/destruction of that nucleus. The big difference is fusion is the "building" of atomic nuclei, and fission is the "breaking" or "splitting" of atomic nuclei. Fusion is the bonding of atomic nuclei or nuclear particles (nucleons - protons and neutrons) to make "bigger" or "heavier" atomic nuclei. Fission, on the other hand is the splitting of the atom. As the atoms fuse or split they release energy. Lots of it. And most of it is heat energy. In nuclear weapons, the energy is released "all at once" to create a blast. If the energy is released in a "controlled" way, we can release heat at a "useable" rate and apply it to boiling water to make steam. In fusion, protons or neutrons or the nuclei of atoms are forced together and are fused to make a new atomic nucleus. The release of lots and lots of energy accompanies this reaction. That's what powers stars. Currently we can't really do any fusion reactions to make useful power. There are a few agencies working on fusion devices, but the high temperatures required to attain fusion require very special materials and controls. The current "state of the art" fusion facility is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (and a link is provided). Fusion is unlikely to become a useful source of power for many years. But what about fission? Nuclear fission involves the splitting of large atoms, usually uranium (or sometimes plutonium). When large atoms fission they produce two smaller atoms or fission fragments (and a couple of neutrons and lots of energy). The total mass of the products is less than the mass of the original atom. This mass difference is turned into energy in accordance with the Einstein equation E=mc2. Most of the energy appears in the recoil of the fission fragments, and the heat that is generated is considerable. It is that heat that we capture to turn water into steam to generate electricity. Nuclear Fission: Basics When a nucleus fissions, it splits into several smaller fragments. These fragments, or fission products, are about equal to half the original mass. Two or three neutrons are also emitted. Nuclear Fission The sum of the masses of these fragments is less than the original mass. This 'missing' mass (about 0.1 percent of the original mass) has been converted into energy according to Einstein's equation. Fission can occur when a nucleus of a heavy atom captures a neutron, or it can happen spontaneously. = Nuclear Fusion = Nuclear Fusion Nuclear energy can also be released by fusion of two light elements (elements with low atomic numbers). The power that fuels the sun and the stars is nuclear fusion. In a hydrogen bomb, two isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium are fused to form a nucleus of helium and a neutron. This fusion releases 17.6 MeV of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, there is no limit on the amount of the fusion that can occur.
Nuclear fusion is taking two different atoms and combining them in to one atom, while nuclear fission takes one atom and seperates it into two atoms. Fission and fusion Fission is splitting the atom, and fusion is combining two or more atoms into one atom.
Why should nuclear fusion be used in alternate power generation?
We do not yet have the ability to contain a controlled nuclear fusion reaction on the scale needed to generate power. Barring some stupendous advance in technology, we probably won't have the ability for 50 to 100 years. We are working on it, though.
How did the sun and other stars transform matter into energy through nuclear fusion?
The Sun and all of the stars are gigantic spheres of hydrogen and helium, formed from interstellar gases that are left over from the formation of the universe, as well as from the remnants of supernovas. They are so gigantic that their mass compresses the core.
As they condense, they become denser and hotter, and this pressure builds up. At around 10 million degrees Kelvin the core is hot enough for fusion reaction to start.
This fusion reaction involves, on the atomic scale, the fusion of four hydrogen nuclei into one helium nuclei. Since the binding energy (Strong Atomic Force) of helium is much less than that of hydrogen, this fusion also results in the release of energy, which increases the heat level and makes the reaction faster.
On the atomic scale, there is not a lot of energy, but on the grand scale, there is enormous energy, which percolates from the core to the photosphere, released as heat, light, and radiation. The reaction is self modulating, in that as heat goes up, density goes down, with a reduction in fusion rate, and vice versa.
This reaction involves a loss of mass. Mass, per Einstein's famous equation e = mc2 shows that the mass is converted into energy, on a very large scale. Eventually, the Sun and stars will run out of fuel. Various end-of-life scenarios exist, depending on the initial mass of the star. Our Sun is considered relatively small, so it is not going to turn into a supernova, but instead it will turn into a red giant and consume Mercury, Venus, and possible Earth. Don't worry - that is not anticipated to occur for another 4 or 5 billion years. In fact, long before that happens, the Sun's dwindling fuel will cause it to become larger and thus hotter, and it will destroy the Earth's atmosphere - again, that is not anticipated to happen for about another 2 billion years.
Depending on various factors, as the hydrogen fuel is used up, helium fusion accelerates, creating lithium, beryllium, and so on and so forth, all the way up to iron.
What is the resulting nucleus if a tritium and a deuterium nucleus fuse?
Helium and a neutron:
D + T --> He + n + 17.59 MeV
What are 3 characteristics of nuclear fusion?
- High energy output: Nuclear fusion releases large amounts of energy compared to other power sources.
- Minimal waste: Fusion reactions produce very little radioactive waste compared to nuclear fission reactions.
- Fuel availability: Fusion fuel sources such as deuterium and lithium are abundant in nature, making fusion a potentially sustainable energy source.
Is nuclear medicine a fusion or fision?
Nuclear medicine involves the use of radioactive materials, which typically undergo nuclear decay processes such as beta decay or gamma emission to emit radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. This is a form of nuclear fission rather than fusion, as it involves the splitting of atomic nuclei to release energy.
Where is tritium found commonly in?
Tritium is typically manufactured in fission reactors by exposing lithium to the reactor's neutron flux. It only occurs in small trace amounts in nature due to cosmic rays, these amounts are too small to be useful.
How does nuclear fusion occur inside the sun?
Stars are formed as a result of a large cloud of gas and dust coming together to form a nebula. As additional particles combine with the nebula, it's gravitational force increases. This increase in gravitational force pulls the particles closer together, and as the particles are pulled closer together, the temperature inside the nebula increases. (It is known that the center of the earth is a hot matter, probably molten liquid. This is caused by the tremendous pressure and resulting heat in the center of the earth as well as the gravitational pull.) Stars are much larger than the earth so the gravity is significantly greater and more pressure is generated. This enormous pressure results in very high temperatures being generated. When the center of a nebula reaches a temperature of 10 million Kelvin (10,000,000K), fusion begins. The fusion reaction releases energy and a star is born.
A brown dwarf is a star with a mass between that of a giant planet and a small star. It lacks sufficient mass to sustain hydrogen fusion in its core like a true star, so it emits light and heat from residual energy.
The process of producing lighter nuclei from heavier nuclei is called nuclear fission. This process involves splitting the nucleus of an atom into lighter fragments, releasing a significant amount of energy in the process.
What is the massive ball of plasma the shines because of thermonucleay fusion in its core?
The massive ball of plasma is called the Sun. It shines due to thermonuclear fusion reactions occurring in its core, where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium, releasing massive amounts of energy in the process. This energy is emitted as light and heat, providing warmth and light to Earth.
What are the different types of nuclear fusion?
There are two main types of nuclear fusion: inertial confinement fusion, which involves compressing a target using intense lasers or particle beams to ignite fusion reactions, and magnetic confinement fusion, which uses magnetic fields to confine and control the fusion plasma. Both approaches aim to replicate the energy-producing process of the sun on Earth.
How does nuclear fusion differ fundamentally from nuclear fission?
nuclear fusion is when two atoms are forced together, fusing their nuclei into a heavier element and releasing a large amount of energy. Fission is when an atom is broken up into smaller atoms releasing a large amount of energy.
How did nuclear fusion lead to the formation of all chemical elements?
Nuclear fusion in stars is responsible for the formation of all chemical elements through a process called nucleosynthesis. During fusion, lighter elements combine to form heavier elements in the star's core, releasing large amounts of energy in the process. As stars go through different stages of fusion, a wide variety of elements are formed, eventually leading to the creation of elements such as carbon, oxygen, iron, and beyond.
What are scientists saying about nuclear fusion in the future?
The next stage of experimental fusion developments is to be ITER, which you can find in Wikipedia. This will be much bigger than previous installations, but still not capable of producing and exporting power, so the goal of having useful fusion power is still way off in the future.
What would be the advantages in using nuclear fusion to supply your energy needs in the future?
Nuclear fusion offers numerous advantages, including abundant fuel supply, minimal greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced nuclear waste compared to fission. It also has the potential for high energy output and improved safety due to the lack of meltdowns or long-lived radioactive waste.
Which statements are related to nuclear fusion?
- Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.
- Fusion reactions are the source of energy in stars, including our Sun.
- Scientists are working on creating controlled nuclear fusion reactions as a potential source of clean and limitless energy on Earth.
- Nuclear fusion differs from nuclear fission, which involves splitting atomic nuclei into smaller fragments.
How can you play fusion fall without unity web player?
Unfortunately, FusionFall requires the Unity Web Player to run in a web browser. If the game developers have not provided an alternative way to play the game without using the Unity Web Player, it may not be possible to do so.
What is the formula for calculating the mass loss of nuclear fusion?
Fusion occurs when elements are pushed together to form a third element. Like two Hydrogen atoms fused together to form a Helium atom. There are formulas that tell you how much energy, or force, has to be used to get elements to fuse together, because it is extremely difficult to get this to happen. Also, when two elements fuse together the final element has less mass then the original two elements. This loss in mass comes out as energy and there are formulas that tell you how much energy will come out. So there are several formulas dealing with different aspects of fusion, but not a single formula that tells you everything you might want to know about fusion.
Which elements are formed from nuclear fusion from medium sized stars?
Medium-sized stars (like the sun) primarily fuse hydrogen into helium in their cores through the process of nuclear fusion. As the star evolves, it may also produce elements like carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen through additional fusion reactions. These elements are built up in the star's core over its lifetime.
What is the by-product of nuclear fusion?
The main by-product of nuclear fusion is helium, which is formed when hydrogen atoms combine under high temperatures and pressures. Additionally, energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation, such as gamma rays, is also released during the fusion process.
What gas giant has nuclear fusion on it?
None. Nuclear fusion occurs in stars. Jupiter, for example, has all the right ingredients to be a star but as huge as it is, it doesn't have enough mass to generate the heat and internal pressure facilitate nuclear fusion. Hope this helps :-)
Does nuclear fusion produce much less energy per atom than nuclear fission?
In terms of energy per atom, nuclear fusion produces more energy than nuclear fission. Fusion reactions involve the combination of lighter atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei, releasing large amounts of energy in the process. Fission reactions, on the other hand, involve the splitting of heavier atomic nuclei into smaller fragments, releasing energy.
