Question 1: Define nuclear fusion in your own words.

Answer: Nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy.

Question 2: Which conditions are most necessary for nuclear fusion to take place? (Select all that apply)

Answer: ["High temperature","High pressure"]

Question 3: Explain why high temperature is essential for nuclear fusion.

Answer: High temperature provides the nuclei with enough kinetic energy to overcome electrostatic repulsion and collide at sufficient speeds for fusion to occur.

Question 4: Fill in the blank: Fusion reactions typically occur at temperatures of several million degrees Celsius, similar to conditions in the ________.

Answer: Sun

Question 1: Describe the basic mechanism by which two light nuclei fuse.

Answer: Two light nuclei, such as isotopes of hydrogen, collide at high speed due to high temperature and pressure. When they come close enough, the strong nuclear force overcomes electrostatic repulsion, allowing the nuclei to merge and form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Question 2: What is the main challenge in achieving controlled nuclear fusion on Earth?

Answer: The main challenge is reaching and maintaining the extremely high temperature and pressure conditions required for fusion while containing the hot plasma safely and efficiently.

Question 1: Calculate the energy released when 1 gram of deuterium (²H) fuses with deuterium, given that the fusion of two deuterium nuclei releases approximately 3.3 MeV of energy per reaction. (1 MeV = 1.602×10⁻¹³ Joules)

Answer: Approximately 1.5×10⁻³ Joules

Question 1: Describe a basic experiment or setup that could demonstrate the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion in a laboratory setting (theory only).

Answer: A possible setup involves heating a small plasma of deuterium and tritium in a tokamak or inertial confinement device, applying intense magnetic fields or laser pulses to achieve the required temperature and pressure, and then measuring the resulting neutrons or energy output as evidence of fusion.

Question 2: Identify two key safety precautions that must be considered when working with nuclear fusion technology.

Answer: Protecting against neutron radiation exposure and managing radioactive materials produced during fusion reactions.

Question 1: A fusion reactor is designed to operate at a temperature of 100 million Kelvin. Explain why such high temperatures are necessary and what benefits this offers for energy production.

Answer: High temperatures increase the kinetic energy of nuclei, increasing the likelihood of overcoming electrostatic repulsion and enabling fusion. This results in a higher reaction rate and greater energy output, making fusion a potentially efficient and sustainable energy source.

Question 2: Discuss one current application of nuclear fusion research in industry or energy production.

Answer: Research towards developing fusion power plants, such as the ITER project, aims to create a sustainable and virtually limitless source of clean energy for electricity generation.