5.10 Nuclear Fusion

Question 1

What is nuclear fusion?

Answer 1

When two light nuclei join together to create a larger nucleus if they’re brought close enough together

Question 2

Does nuclear fusion or fission release more energy?

Answer 2

Fusion

Question 3

What does the process of nuclear fusion fuel?

Answer 3

Stars

Question 4

Why does nuclear fusion release so much energy?

Answer 4

Some of the mass of the original nuclei is being converted to energy rather than transferred to the new nucleus. This is why the nucleus will be lighter than the combined mass of the two nuclei.

Question 5

What is a pro of nuclear fusion?

Answer 5

• It doesn’t produce any radioactive waste and we can easily make the hydrogen that’s needed as fuel

Question 6

What is a con of nuclear fusion?

Answer 6

It only happens at really high temperatures and pressures, (10 million degrees celsius)

Question 7

What is a con of nuclear fusion?

Answer 7

It only happens at really high temperatures and pressures, (10 million degrees celsius)

Question 8

Nuclear _______ occurs in stars, and is the reason why stars give off so much _______.

Answer 8

fusion, energy

Question 9

Most of the fusion occurring in stars is __________ nuclei fusing to become _______ nuclei.

Answer 9

hydrogen, helium

Question 10

Why does fusion only happen at very high temperatures and pressures?

Answer 10

To overcome the repulsion of the positively charged nuclei