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Understanding Nuclear Fusion: Energy Release Comparison

Nuclear fusion occurs when two light nuclei merge to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy. Work out the energy released by fusion reactions and compare it with nuclear fission. Deuterium and Helium nuclei are involved in this process. Achieving fusion requires high kinetic energy. D-T fusion reactions and reactors are explored, with Deuterium and Tritium being important elements. Deuterium is naturally found in water, while Tritium must be produced within the reactor by bombarding Lithium nuclei with neutrons. Theoretical barrier for controlled fusion in reactors is discussed.

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Understanding Nuclear Fusion: Energy Release Comparison

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  1. Nuclear Fusion D-T Fusion Reactions

  2. Nuclear fusion Nuclear fusion occurs when two light nuclei merge to form a heavier nucleus. The binding energy curve shows that if these lighter nuclei fuse together, then the binding energy of each nucleon in the new nucleus formed is greater than before and the nucleons are more tightly bound together. So, an equal amount of energy to the increase in binding energy is released. Deuterium nucleus Deuterium nucleus Helium nucleus

  3. Nuclear fusion Work out the energy released by the following fusion reaction and compare it with the energy released by a nuclear fission reaction. Nuclear mass finder 2 x 1.00728 - 2.01355 - 0.00055 = 0.00046 u Mass of Beta particle Mass of H Mass of He 0.00046 x 931 MeV = 0.4 MeV

  4. Nuclear fusion To achieve nuclear fusion the light nuclei must collide with a very high KE. Nuclear fusion is the reaction happening in the Sun and other stars and the temperature in the Sun’s core is estimated to be 108 K.

  5. D-T reactors These incredible temperatures of 108 K represent a barrier for controlled fusion in a reactor that has not yet been broken. The D-T (deuterium – tritium) reactor seems to be the most likely way to achieve controlled nuclear fusion. The nuclear fusion is between one deuterium and one tritium nucleus:

  6. D-T reactors Deuterium is found in water. In fact, it corresponds to the 0.01% of natural hydrogen. Tritium is not present naturally, so it must be produced within the reactor. This is achieved by allowing the neutrons from the fusion reaction to bombard nuclei of Lithium. This lithium surrounds the core (where the reaction takes place) of the reactor in a sort of blanket.

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