| The opposite of nuclear fission, involving the joining of 2 light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. | Nuclear Fusion |
| What is nuclear fusion? | Nuclear fusion is the process of joining 2 light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. |
| The nuclei of 2 hydrogen isotopes can fuse to form 1 helium nucleus, often releasing a neutron or proton. | Fusion Example |
| Provide an example of nuclear fusion involving hydrogen isotopes. | The nuclei of 2 hydrogen isotopes can fuse to form 1 helium nucleus, often releasing a neutron or proton. |
| The combined mass of the helium and any protons/neutrons released is less than the total mass of the starting nuclei due to the conversion of some mass into energy. | Mass-Energy Conversion |
| How does mass-energy conversion occur in nuclear fusion? | The combined mass of the resulting particles is less than the total mass of the starting nuclei due to the conversion of some mass into energy. |
| Nuclear fusion releases a huge amount of energy when happening in many nuclei simultaneously, with this energy emitted as radiation. | Energy Release |
| What happens to the energy released during nuclear fusion? | The energy released during nuclear fusion is emitted as radiation. |
| Nuclear fusion powers all stars, including our Sun, by continuously releasing energy through fusion reactions. | Stellar Power Source |
| What powers all stars, including our Sun? | Nuclear fusion powers all stars, including our Sun, by continuously releasing energy through fusion reactions. |
| The tendency of positively charged nuclei to repel each other. | Electrostatic Repulsion |
| What is electrostatic repulsion? | Electrostatic repulsion is the tendency of positively charged nuclei to repel each other. |
| At low temperatures and pressures, electrostatic repulsion makes it nearly impossible for nuclei to get close enough for fusion. | Fusion Barrier |
| Why is nuclear fusion difficult to achieve at low temperatures and pressures? | Electrostatic repulsion at low temperatures and pressures makes it nearly impossible for nuclei to get close enough for fusion. |
| At higher temperatures, nuclei have enough kinetic energy to overcome electrostatic repulsion, allowing fusion to occur. | Temperature Influence |
| How does temperature affect the possibility of nuclear fusion? | At higher temperatures, nuclei have enough kinetic energy to overcome electrostatic repulsion, allowing fusion to occur. |
| Higher pressures result in nuclei being closer together, increasing the likelihood of collisions and fusion events. | Pressure Influence |
| How does pressure affect the rate of nuclear fusion? | Higher pressures result in nuclei being closer together, increasing the likelihood of collisions and fusion events. |
| Creating an environment conducive to nuclear fusion is challenging and requires immense energy to achieve the necessary temperature and pressure conditions. | Fusion Environment Challenges |
| Why is creating a suitable environment for nuclear fusion difficult? | Creating an environment conducive to nuclear fusion is challenging and requires immense energy to achieve the necessary temperature and pressure conditions. |
| All nuclear fusion reactors built so far have produced less energy than they use for achieving high temperature and pressure conditions. | Energy Output |
| What is the current state of energy production in nuclear fusion reactors? | All nuclear fusion reactors built so far have produced less energy than they use for achieving high temperature and pressure conditions, making practical fusion power generation currently impractical and uneconomical. |
