Energy #3: Nuclear C (Fusion)

Energy #3: Nuclear C

(Fusion)

Multiple Choice

Nuclear Fusion is naturally most common in

• Stars

• Power Plants

• Medicine

• Cows

Multiple Select

Fusion occurs

• naturally in stars

• when Hydrogen atoms merge and form heavier Helium atoms

• when atoms split apart

• commonly on Earth

Requires:

1. High density environment (atoms close together)

2. High temperatures (fast moving atoms)

3. Overcoming the electrostatic forces between like charges

Pros + Cons of Fusion Energy

Multiple Choice

Which is FALSE about Nuclear Fusion?

• the products are lighter mass

• 20 X more energy is released than in nuclear fission reactions

• less nuclear waste results

• Hydrogen isotopes are the primary fuel source

• The products have shorter half-lives than U-235

ITER

35 countries share with funding for ITER. It is scheduled to be 'on-line' by 2025. It is a prototype. So far, the longest running fusion reactor has created plasma for 10 seconds.

Hydrogen for Fusion

• gaseous hydrogen is rare on Earth

• Hydrogen can easily be obtained by electrolysis of water (using electricity to break the bonds within the water molecule)