Nuclear Fusion: Merging Nuclei and Unleashing Energy

The video explains nuclear fusion, where lighter nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing significant energy. It defines nuclear fusion scientifically and describes the process using hydrogen and helium as examples. The video calculates the energy released by the fusion of four protons into a helium nucleus, highlighting the mass loss and energy equivalence. Despite the substantial energy release, controlling fusion reactions remains challenging, preventing the construction of full-time nuclear reactors for fusion.

What does the term 'nuclear' refer to in the context of nuclear fusion?

• The process involving protons

• The process involving neutrons

• The process involving the nucleus

• The process involving electrons

How is nuclear fusion scientifically defined?

• A reaction where lighter nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei

• A reaction where heavier nuclei split into lighter ones

• A reaction where protons are exchanged between atoms

• A reaction where electrons are shared between atoms

What is the result of combining two hydrogen nuclei in the fusion process?

• Formation of a helium isotope

• Formation of an oxygen isotope

• Formation of a lithium isotope

• Formation of a carbon isotope

What is the mass loss when four protons fuse to form a helium nucleus?

• 0.500 AMU

• 0.100 AMU

• 0.297 AMU

• 0.200 AMU

How much energy is released from the fusion of four protons?

• 27.6 Mega electron volts

• 15.0 Mega electron volts

• 50.0 Mega electron volts

• 10.0 Mega electron volts

Why are there no full-time nuclear reactors for fusion reactions?

• Fusion reactions are too slow

• Fusion reactions produce too much waste

• Fusion reactions are too expensive

• Fusion reactions are hard to control due to enormous energy release