Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy. For fusion to occur, the nuclei must overcome their electrical repulsion and get close enough for the strong nuclear force to take over. This requires extremely high temperatures of over 100 million degrees Celsius. In the sun, the proton-proton cycle is an example of fusion, where six protons fuse to form a helium nucleus and release energy. Fusion differs from fission in that it involves light nuclei fusing to form heavier ones, rather than heavy nuclei splitting apart.
Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy. For fusion to occur, the nuclei must overcome their electrical repulsion and get close enough for the strong nuclear force to take over. This requires extremely high temperatures of over 100 million degrees Celsius. In the sun, the proton-proton cycle is an example of fusion, where six protons fuse to form a helium nucleus and release energy. Fusion differs from fission in that it involves light nuclei fusing to form heavier ones, rather than heavy nuclei splitting apart.
Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy. For fusion to occur, the nuclei must overcome their electrical repulsion and get close enough for the strong nuclear force to take over. This requires extremely high temperatures of over 100 million degrees Celsius. In the sun, the proton-proton cycle is an example of fusion, where six protons fuse to form a helium nucleus and release energy. Fusion differs from fission in that it involves light nuclei fusing to form heavier ones, rather than heavy nuclei splitting apart.
Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy. For fusion to occur, the nuclei must overcome their electrical repulsion and get close enough for the strong nuclear force to take over. This requires extremely high temperatures of over 100 million degrees Celsius. In the sun, the proton-proton cycle is an example of fusion, where six protons fuse to form a helium nucleus and release energy. Fusion differs from fission in that it involves light nuclei fusing to form heavier ones, rather than heavy nuclei splitting apart.
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Nuclear
reaction Nuclear fusion Nuclear Fusion • Nuclear fusion is the process in which nuclei of light elements combine to form nuclei of heavier elements. • The energy released in this reaction is called thermonuclear energy. • Examples ; H H H H Q 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 H H He 0 n Q 2 1 2 1 2 3 1
2 1H H He 0 n Q 3 1 4 2 1
• The amount of energy released by this process
can be estimated by using the binding energy per nucleon curve (Figure Y). Binding energy per nucleon as a function of mass number,A
Greatest stability nucleon (MeV/nucleon) Binding energy per
Moving toward more stable nuclei
fusion Figure Y Mass number A Two nuclei of very low mass can combine to generate energy. This process is called nuclear fusion. FUSION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb8NX3HiS4U • From Figure Y, the binding energy per nucleon for the lighter nuclei (2H) is small compared to the heavier nuclei. • The energy released per nucleon in the fusion process is given by the difference between two values of binding energy per nucleon. • And it is found that the energy released per nucleon by this process is greater than the energy released per nucleon by fission process. Example Example A fusion reaction occur as follows : 2 1 H 12H 24He
If 2 kg 2H is used, determine a)Total mass loss after fusion b)Energy released per helium nucleus obtained. c) Total energy produced.
Given : mass of 21H = 2.014102 u,
mass of 42 He = 4.002603 u Solution a) Δm = mbefore –mafter Δm = 2(2.014102)-4.002603 Δm = 0.025601 u The mass loss after fusion for 2 2H nuclei is 0.025016 u. Number of nucleus for 2 kg 2H is, 2000 x6.02x10 23 6.02x10 26 atoms 2
2 atoms 0.025601 u 6.02 x 10 26 Total mass loss 6.02 x 10 atoms 26 x 0.025601 u 2 after fusion 7.705901 x10 24 u 0.013 kg Solution b) Energy released per helium nucleus obtained,
Q= Δmc2 =(0.013)(3x108)2 =1.17x1015 J • For two nuclei to undergo fusion, they must come together to within the range of the nuclear force, typically of the order of 2 x 10-15 m. • To do this, they must overcome the electrical repulsion of their positive charges. • For two protons at this distance, the corresponding potential energy is about 1.2 x 10-13 J or 0.7 MeV; this represents the total initial kinetic energy that the fusion nuclei must have, for example, 0.6 x 10-13J each in head-on collision. • Atoms have this much energy only at extremely high temperature (108 K). • The lower border of the fusion temperature is 10 7 K. • Reactions that required such extremely high temperature are called thermonuclear reactions. • The most important thermonuclear reactions occurs in stars, such as our own sun. Nuclear Fusion in the Sun • Nuclear fusion occurs in the interior of the sun because the temperature of the sun is very high (approximately 1.5 x 107K). • The energy radiated by the sun comes from deep within its core, where the temperature is high enough to initiate the fusion process. • One group of reactions thought to occur in the sun is the proton-proton cycle, which is a series of reactions whereby 6 protons form one helium nucleus, 2 positrons, 2 gamma-rays, 2 protons and 2 neutrinos. • The sequence of fusion reactions are shown below ; neutrino i) 1 1 H 11H 12H 10e v Q Positron (beta plus) ii) H H He Q 1 2 3 1 1 2 Gamma-ray iii) 3 He 2 3 2 He 4 2 He 1 1 H 1H Q 1
• The net result is the combination of 4 protons
to form a helium nucleus, two positrons and two neutrinos. (consumes 6 protons but gives two back) 4 11H 24He 210 e 2v 2 Q • The energy released by the proton-proton cycle is about 26.7 MeV. Comparison between nuclear Fission and nuclear Fusion
Differences Fission Fusion
Heavy to light nucleus Light to heavy nucleus
Neutron to bombard High temperature
Produce more than 1 Produce 1 nucleus
nucleus Easy to handle & Difficult to handle & control control Similarities • new product is produced. • energy is released. • mass is reduced after reaction.
Negative Mass and Negative Refractive Index in Atom Nuclei - Nuclear Wave Equation - Gravitational and Inertial Control: Part 3: Gravitational and Inertial Control, #3
Negative Mass and Negative Refractive Index in Atom Nuclei - Nuclear Wave Equation - Gravitational and Inertial Control: Part 3: Gravitational and Inertial Control, #3
