# Nuclear Fusion

## What is Nuclear Fusion?

Nuclear fusion is a reaction through which two or more light nuclei collide into each other to form a heavier nucleus. This reaction takes place with elements that have a low atomic number, such as hydrogen. It 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 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 such a mind-boggling amount of heat and energy. The pressure at the core of any star is tremendously high and that is where the nuclear fusion reaction takes place.

Example of Nuclear Fusion

For example, the temperature at the core of the sun 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 releases the massive amount of energy in the form of heat. Around 600 million tons of hydrogen are converted into Helium every second in the sun.

## Difference Between Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion

These two are the major nuclear reactions that take place. The basic differences between Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion are:

 Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion Breaks heavy atom into two or smaller ones. Brings two or more small atoms together to form one large atom. Does not happen naturally. The universe is full of instances of nuclear fusion reactions. Every star uses it to produce energy. Produces a great deal more energy than chemical reactions but still not as much as fusion. Produces abundant energy than fission reaction. Does not require a lot of energy to split an atom into two. Requires a lot of heat and pressure for the process to happen.

## 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 utilised properly, nuclear fusion 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. The fuel for fusion, Deuterium, and Tritium, are also readily available in nature. Scientists are hopeful that in the coming centuries, fusion will be a viable alternative power source.

### Nuclear Fusion Example

Q1. Calculate the total energy released when tritium and deuterium fuse to give Helium 4.

Ans: The balanced nuclear reaction is given as:

$H_{1}^{2}+H_{1}^{3}\rightarrow He_{2}^{4}+n_{0}^{1}$

ΔE = -17.6 Me.V.atom-1

ΔE = -1.697 × 10kJ.mol-1.

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## Important Questions on Nuclear Fusion

#### What are the environmental effects of nuclear power?

The environmental impacts of nuclear power results from the nuclear power cycle, its operation, and the effects of nuclear accidents. The greenhouse gas emission’s health risks are smaller than those associated with coal. Although nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide, high amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted during operation and activities that are related to building and running the plant.

#### Does fusion produce radioactive waste the same way as fission does?

Nuclear fission power plants generate unstable nuclei; some of these are radioactive for millions of years. Fusion, on the other hand, does not create any long-lived radioactive nuclear waste. A fusion reactor produces helium, which is an inert gas. It also produces and consumes tritium within the plant in a closed circuit. Tritium is radioactive (a beta emitter) but its half-life is short. It is only used in low amounts so; unlike long-lived radioactive nuclei, it cannot produce any serious danger.

#### Can fusion cause a nuclear accident?

No, because fusion energy production is not based on chain reaction as nuclear fission. Plasma must be kept at very high temperatures with the support of external heating systems and confined by an external magnetic field. Every shift or change of the working configuration in the reactor causes the cooling of plasma or the loss of its containment; in such a case, the reactor would automatically come to a halt within a few seconds, since the process of energy production is arrested, with no effects taking place on the outside. For this reason, fusion reactors are considered to be inherently safe.

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