Nuclear Fusion Example

The nuclear fusion It is a reaction that takes place when two atomic nuclei unite to form a new one. When this happens, the new nucleus has less mass than the sum of those that formed it, this deficiency is due to the fact that during the fusion process part of the mass is converted into energy; this conversion is related according to the formula E = mc2.

Fusion between light nuclei is easier to achieve due to the repulsive forces between them, since the protons in the nuclei repel each other. So that the nuclear fusion can be carried out, it is necessary to overcome the repulsion forces that occur between the protons, for this large amounts of energy which is achieved by raising the temperature to several thousand degrees to convert matter into a state of aggregation that is called plasma.

In the reaction of nuclear fusion the energy released is so great that one of the problems that exist to be able to take advantage of this type energy is the power to find materials that can contain the large amount of heat that is frees.

Nuclear Fusion Example:

One of the fusion reactions is the union of the nuclei of Deuterium (one neutron and one electron) and Tritium (two electrons and one neutron) to form a nucleus of helium (two neutrons and two protons) releasing in the process a proton and a large amount of Energy.

In stars, the union of hydrogen atoms in helium is carried out, releasing the energy that the stars emit. The energy that gives life to planet Earth comes from fusion reactions that occur in the Sun.

The H bomb or hydrogen bomb is another example of the large amount of energy that is released when a reaction of nuclear fusion.