Question

What is the process of thermonuclear fusion?

Answer 1

The thermonuclear reaction, a fusion of two light atomic nuclei into a single heavier nucleus by a collision of the two interacting particles at extremely high temperatures, with the consequent release of a relatively large amount of energy. Chains of thermonuclear reactions, such as the proton-proton cycle and the carbon cycle, account for the energy radiated from the Sun and most other stars.

Thermonuclear fusion is a way to achieve nuclear fusion by using extremely high temperatures. There are two forms of thermonuclear fusion: uncontrolled, in which the resulting energy is released in an uncontrolled manner, as it is in thermonuclear weapons such as the "hydrogen bomb", and controlled, where the fusion reactions take place in an environment allowing some of the resulting energy to be harnessed for constructive purposes. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles, so by heating the material, it will gain energy. After reaching sufficient temperature, given by the Lawson criterion, the energy of accidental collisions within the plasma is high enough to overcome the Coulomb barrier and the particles may fuse together.

Thermonuclear fusion is one of the methods being researched in the attempts to produce fusion power. If thermonuclear fusion becomes favorable to use, it would reduce the world's carbon footprint significantly.