Nuclear Fusion

Question 1

Why do the conditions in nuclear fusion have to have high pressures and temperatures?

Answer 1

These conditions overcome the repulsive forces between the nuclei

Question 2

What are the advantages of nuclear fusion? (Name 3)

Answer 2

Materials needed are easy to get hold of
Small amounts of the materials are needed
No greenhouse gases are emitted
No need to keep chain reactions under control
No weapons material is produced
Less radioactive waste

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of nuclear fusion? (Name 3)

Answer 3

Difficult to get it to work
Expensive
Still many years of development needed
Extremely high pressures and temperatures are hard to reach

Question 4

What happens in nuclear fusion?

Answer 4

Small nuclei join together to form larger nuclei and energy is released