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Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fission and fusion reactions are the two

fundamental types of nuclear reactions. Nuclear
reactions are phenomena in which one or multiple
atomic particles are created from the collisions
between two nuclei or a subatomic particle and
one nucleus . The nuclides created from nuclear
reactions are not similar to the reacting nuclei
(parent nuclei).

Table of Contents

What Is Nuclear Fusion?

Nuclear Fusion Definition

How Does Nuclear Fusion Take Place?

Nuclear Fusion in the Universe

Difference Between Nuclear Fission and

Nuclear Fusion

Applications of Nuclear Fusion

Important Questions on Nuclear Fusion

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What Is Nuclear Fusion?

Nuclear fusion is a reaction through which two or
more light nuclei collide to form a heavier nucleus.
The nuclear fusion process occurs in elements that
have a low atomic number, such as hydrogen.
Nuclear Fusion is the opposite of nuclear fission
reaction, in which heavy elements diffuse and form
lighter elements. Both nuclear fusion and fission
produce a massive amount of energy.

Nuclear Fusion Definition

Nuclear fusion is when two or more atomic nuclei
fuse to form a single heavier nucleus. In the
reaction, the matter is not conserved because
some of the mass of the fusing nuclei is
converted to energy.

How Does Nuclear Fusion Take Place?

Let us look at the nuclear fusion example below to
understand how the fusion reaction occurs.

When deuterium and tritium fuse together, their

components are recombined to form a helium
atom and a fast neutron. As the two heavy isotopes
are recombined into a helium atom and a neutron,
the leftover extra mass is transformed into kinetic
energy.

The participating nuclei should be brought together

for the nuclear fusion reaction to occur. They should
be brought so close to each other that the nuclear
forces become active and glue to the nuclei
together.

Nuclear Fusion in the Universe

Every star in the universe, including the sun, is alive
due to nuclear fusion. It is through this process that
they produce an enormous amount of heat and
energy. The pressure at the core of any star is
tremendously high, and that is where the nuclear
fusion reaction occurs.

For example, the temperature at the sun’s core is

around 15 million degrees Celsius. At this
temperature, coupled with very high pressure, two
isotopes of Hydrogen, Deuterium and Tritium, fuse
to form Helium and release a massive amount of
energy in the form of heat. Around 600 million tons
of hydrogen are converted into Helium every
second in the sun. The reactions which take place in
the sun provide an example of nuclear fusion.

Difference Between Nuclear Fission

and Nuclear Fusion
The table below lists the major differences between
fusion and fission reactions.

Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear fission is a Nuclear fusion is a

nuclear reaction that nuclear reaction that
splits a heavy atom combines two or more
into multiple smaller small atoms to form a
ones. large atom.

It does not occur The universe is full of

naturally. instances of nuclear
fusion reactions. Every
star uses it to produce
energy.

It produces a large It produces greater

quantity of energy. energy than the fission
reaction.

It does not require a lot It requires a lot of heat

of energy to split an and pressure for the
atom into two. process to happen.

To learn the differences in detail, visit the article

below:

Difference Between Nuclear Fission and Fusion

Applications of Nuclear Fusion

We are still at an experimental stage as far as
nuclear fusion reactions are concerned.

Clean: No combustion occurs in nuclear

power (fission or fusion), so there is no air
pollution.

Less nuclear waste: The fusion reactors will

not produce high-level nuclear wastes like
their fission counterparts, so disposal will be
less of a problem. In addition, the wastes will
not be of weapons-grade nuclear materials
as is the case in fission reactors.

If appropriately utilised, nuclear fusion energy is the

answer to the world’s power crisis problem. It is
clean and produces a minimal amount of nuclear
waste as compared to fission reactions. In addition,
the fuel for fusion, Deuterium, and Tritium, are also
readily available in nature. Thus, scientists are
hopeful that fusion will be a viable alternative
power source in the coming centuries.

Nuclear Fusion Reactor

Nuclear fusion reactor uses the principle of
controlled nuclear fusion reaction. The energy is
generated when two light atomic nuclei are forced
to join together. When two nuclei merge, a small
amount of mass (matter) is transformed into a
huge amount of energy. This huge conversion can
be explained using the equation:

\(\begin{array}{l}E = m c^2\end{array} \)
E = energy
m = mass
c = speed of light in vacuum
Mass (matter) can also be converted into energy
by nuclear fission (splitting of heavy nuclei).

In the video, you will learn how to

harness the energy produced by
nuclear fusion reactions in a
controlled manner.

12,771

Related Links:

Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion

Nuclear Physics

Nuclear Reactor

Nuclear Fission

Important Questions on Nuclear

Fusion

What are the environmental effects of

nuclear power? !

Does fusion produce radioactive waste

the same way as fission does? !

Can fusion cause a nuclear accident? !

Top 15 Most Important and

Expected Questions on Nuclei in
Hindi.

2,391

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1 What is Nuclear Fusion?

Nuclear fusion is a reaction through which two

or more light nuclei collide to form a heavier
nucleus.

Q2 What is the life span of a nuclear power

station?

The usual life span of a nuclear power station is

40 years. But the modern pressurised water
reactors come with a life span of 60 years.

Q3 How are nuclear accidents classified?

According to the International Atomic Energy

Agency (IAEA), two sub-levels categorise
accidents. The main two levels are the upper
level with 4-7 sub-levels and the lower level
with 1-3 sub-levels.

Q4 Name the international organisation that

oversees the operation of nuclear power
stations.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

is an international organisation that oversees
the operation of nuclear power stations. This
organization provides guidelines and
frameworks on how nuclear power stations
need to be operated.

Q5 Can we say that nuclear energy is a highly

productive source of power?

Yes, we can say that nuclear energy is a highly

productive energy source as a massive
amount of energy is produced by triggering
one neutron. Also, nuclear power stations are
unaffected by seasonal conditions.

Q6 What is nuclear fission?

Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction that splits

a heavy atom into multiple smaller ones.

Q7 Write some benefits of nuclear energy.

Nuclear energy is used in various industrial

applications, such as hydrogen production,
seawater desalination, the extraction of tertiary
oil resources, district heating, and cooling.

Q8 Write some advantages of nuclear fusion.

Following are the advantages of nuclear fusion:

It is a safe source for the generation of
electricity.

It is economical and sustainable.

The amount of fuel available in nature is

abundant and inexpensive.

The greenhouse gases produced during

the process of fusion are minimal.

Q9 Define nuclear binding energy.

Nuclear binding energy is defined as the

energy required to split the nucleus of an atom
into its components.

Q10 What is nuclear physics?

Nuclear Physics is defined as the branch of

physics that deals with the structure of the
atomic nucleus and its interactions.

Q11 What is radioactivity?

Radioactivity is a nuclear process that occurs

due to the decay of the nucleus. Radioactivity
is based on the law of conservation of charge.
External parameters such as temperature and
pressure do not affect the rate of decay.

Q12 What are the types of nuclear reactions?

The following are the types of nuclear

reactions:
Nuclear Fission

Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear Decay

Transmutation

Q13 Nuclear reactors use which type of reaction to

generate electricity?

Nuclear reactors use nuclear fission reactions

to generate electricity.

Q14 What are nuclear scattering processes?

Nuclear scattering processes are the

processes that involve the collision and
subsequent separation of atomic nuclei
without any notable changes in the nuclear
composition. In these processes, only
momentum and energy are transferred.

Q15 What is nuclear binding energy?

Nuclear binding energy can be defined as the

energy required to hold all the protons and
neutrons within the nucleus.

Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more about nuclear

fusion, energy, and much more.

Test your Knowledge on

Nuclear Fusion

Put your understanding of

this concept to test by
answering a few MCQs.
Click ‘Start Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on

the “Finish” button
Check your score and answers at the end
of the quiz

Start Quiz

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