nuclear fusion
1
(physics) the reaction in which two nuclei join together and produce energy
- Nuclear fusion is the process in which two atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.
- The sun's energy is generated through nuclear fusion reactions in its core, primarily involving the fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium nuclei.
- Scientists are researching ways to achieve controlled nuclear fusion on Earth as a potentially limitless and clean source of energy.
- The challenge of achieving sustainable nuclear fusion on Earth lies in confining the high-temperature plasma required for fusion and sustaining the reaction in a controlled manner.
- The most promising approach to achieving nuclear fusion on Earth involves heating hydrogen isotopes to extremely high temperatures and confining them in a magnetic field in devices called tokamaks.
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