Nuclear Fusion

Question 1

What is nuclear fusion?

Answer 1

Two hydrogen nuclei join to form helium
Duterium - H2
Tritium - H3
Energy released is created by the difference in mass between the products and the reactants

Question 2

Why is nuclear fusion good?

Answer 2

Provides clean energy
No polluting gas
No radioactive waste

Question 3

Why is nuclear fusion hard to recreate?

Answer 3

Nuclear fusion requires extreme heat and pressure
Nuclei need enough kinetic energy to overcome the repulsive force between them
To date the most successful attempt of nuclear fusion has required more energy than it created

Question 4

What is the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER)

Answer 4

An international collaboration into fusion research that began in 1985
Construction began in 2011
Running by 2019 (hopefully)
Hopefully will be the first fusion reactor to produce more energy than required to initiate the reaction
Estimated cost €16 billion