Week 8 Nuclear Fusion Part 2

Question 1

briefly describe the process of magnetic confinement fusion MCF

Answer 1

plasma consists of charged particles.

by applying a specifically configured B is possible to confine a plasma and keep it insulated

Question 2

briefly describe the process of inertial confinement fusion ICF

Answer 2

small pellet of fuel is caused to implode so that the inner core reaches a high temperature and undergoes a thermonuclear explosion

Question 3

what is the gyro-radius equation

Answer 3

r = mv/qB

Question 4

what do the Biot-Savart and Ampere Law suggest

Answer 4

currents generate magnetic fields

Question 5

what two things required of the B in MCF

Answer 5

must be strong enough so that charge particles follow the field and is poloidial to prevent electron drift out of reactor

Question 6

outline the 4 steps of ICF

Answer 6

laser heating of outer layer
ablation of outer layer leading to compression of capsule
core reaches fusion ignition condition
thermonuclear burn

Question 7

what does instability cause

Answer 7

imperfect confinement/heating of fuel

Question 8

what are the two major processes involved in stellar fusion

Answer 8

Proton-Proton Chain

Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen Chain

Question 9

what is the problem with proton-proton chains and how is it overcome

Answer 9

reaction rate is very slow but there are so many protons that this is negligible

Question 10

how do stars synthesise heavy atoms

Answer 10

nucleosynthesis

Question 11

how does a stars surface radiate and what relation does it follow

Answer 11

radiates like a Blackbody so follows Plancks Law