Nuclear Fusion

?
What is nuclear fusion?
In nuclear fusion, two nuclei collide at high speed and fuse to create a larger nucleus. E.g. hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium nuclei.
1 of 5
Why fusion?
Fusion creates a lot of energy (more than fission) - all of the energy released from stars is from fusion. Because of this, people are trying to create fusion reactors to make electricity.
2 of 5
Why can fusion reactors currently not be made?
Fusion only happens at extremely high temperatures and pressures, due to the electrostatic repulsion of protons. No material can withstand the temperatures needed, so they are expensive and hard to build.
3 of 5
What is cold fusion?
Cold fusion is nuclear fusion which occurs at around room temperature. In 1989, two scientists reported that they had succeeded in releasing energy from cold fusion. However their work hadn't been peer reviewed/validated.
4 of 5
So, did cold fusion work?
When other scientists tried to do the same experiment it wouldn't work and the theory was discredited. However, there is still funding available into cold fusion research.
5 of 5

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why fusion?

Back

Fusion creates a lot of energy (more than fission) - all of the energy released from stars is from fusion. Because of this, people are trying to create fusion reactors to make electricity.

Card 3

Front

Why can fusion reactors currently not be made?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is cold fusion?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

So, did cold fusion work?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Physics resources:

See all Physics resources »See all Radioactivity resources »