14.4 Fusion (and Stellar Fusion)

Question 1

What is nuclear fusion?

Answer 1

When nuclei combine together.

Question 2

Where is this process used to generate energy?

Answer 2

In the stars

Question 3

Due to high temperatures in the stars what is detained from the nucleus of atoms?

Answer 3

Electrons as the stars are plasma

Question 4

What has to be overcame for nuclear fusion to happen?

Answer 4

The electrostatic forces of repulsion between positively charged nuclei, otherwise the fusion cannot happen

Question 5

What is required to overcome the electrostatic in terms of energy?

Answer 5

A lot of kinetic energy, and hence temperature

Question 6

So why does during fusion electron does not interact?

Answer 6

Due to its low mass it gains a lot of kinetic energy due to high temperatures present. This means it is barely involved and has little influence. It helps that a star is a plasma and the electrons are detached from their nucleus (this is due to high temperatures). So nuclear fusion can happen

Question 7

Why does nuclear fusion happen more in dense matter?

Answer 7

Due to the fact matter of greater density increases the likelihood of collisions

Question 8

What is stellar fusion?

Answer 8

It is fusion happening inside the star generating energy

Question 9

Why is stellar fusion possible by stars but not yet on earth>?

Answer 9

In stars hot and dense matter is held by the gravitational forces . On earth we use a magnetic field which is nowhere near as strong

Question 10

Why does nuclear fusion usually produce a lot of energy?

Answer 10

resulting particles have a higher binding energy