Nuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei are combined to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons). The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as the release of large amounts of energy. This difference in mass arises due to the difference in atomic "binding energy" between the atomic nuclei before and after the reaction. Nuclear fusion has been used to produce the energy released in both hydrogen bombs and in the sun.

History

The process of nuclear fusion was first recognized by Albert Einstein in his E=mc^2 equation, which states that energy (E) equals mass (m) times the speed of light (c) squared. This equation explains how mass can be converted into energy, and vice versa.

Process

Nuclear fusion occurs when two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. This is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy depending on the masses of the original nuclei. For nuclei lighter than iron-56, the reaction is exothermic, releasing energy. For nuclei heavier than iron-56, the reaction is endothermic, absorbing energy. The strongest nuclear fusion reactions release a million times more energy per reaction than do chemical reactions.

Applications

Nuclear fusion has several potential applications. These include power generation, where it has the potential to provide a nearly limitless, environmentally friendly source of power; nuclear weapons, where it is responsible for the destructive power of hydrogen bombs; and in astrophysics, where it describes the processes that power stars and other celestial bodies.

Challenges

Despite its potential, there are several challenges that must be overcome to make nuclear fusion a practical power source. These include the high temperatures and pressures required to initiate the reaction, the need for a large scale and expensive infrastructure, and the technical challenges associated with containing the plasma in which the reaction occurs.

See also

• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear power
• Nuclear reactor
• Nuclear weapon
• Stellar nucleosynthesis

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