Nuclear fusion is the process in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a huge amount of energy.
It’s the same process that powers the Sun and other stars. In the Sun, hydrogen nuclei (protons) fuse under extreme temperature and pressure to form helium, with a small portion of mass converted into energy according to Einstein’s equation E = mc².
Key points about nuclear fusion:
- Fuel: Typically involves isotopes of hydrogen like deuterium and tritium.
- Conditions required: Extremely high temperatures (millions of degrees) and pressure to overcome the natural repulsion between positively charged nuclei.
- Energy release: Much greater than chemical reactions and even nuclear fission (used in today’s nuclear power plants).
- Byproducts: Fusion produces far less long-lived radioactive waste compared to fission.
- Applications: Currently studied for clean energy production, but practical fusion power plants are still under development.