Nuclear reactors work in a similar way to other power plants but instead of using coal or gas to generate heat they use nuclear fission reactions. Now that you can name the four forces gravity electromagnetism the weak force and the strong force we ll see how they compare and interact with one another.

An Easy Explanation Of The Basics Of Quantum Mechanics For Dummies

The isotopes of hydrogen needed for the hydrogen bomb fusion reaction were placed around an ordinary fission bomb.

Nuclear fusion for dummies. Figure 1 shows the equation for the nuclear fission of uranium 235. The problem is fusion is as hard to understand as it is to achieve. Nuclear fusion is the combination of two light nuclides which form a heavier nuclide with the release of energy.

There are different kinds. Nucleosynthesis and even heavier nuclei are produced in supernova explosions. Nuclear fusion for dummies.

Ultimately the weak force makes nuclear fusion in the sun and stars possible because it allows the hydrogen isotope deuterium to form and fuse. Nuclear fission occurs when a larger isotope breaks apart into two or more elements. Nuclear fusion offers great promise for the future.

Scientists usually accomplish this task for some controlled nuclear reactions by bombarding a large isotope with a second smaller one commonly a neutron. The collision caused the larger isotope to break apart into two or more elements which is called nuclear fission. The first demonstration of nuclear fusion the hydrogen bomb was conducted by the military.

It generates no nuclear waste or pollution other than reactor equipment which remains contaminated at the end of its life for about a century and no greenhouse gases. A hydrogen bomb is approximately 1 000 times as powerful as an ordinary atomic bomb. At the sun s core the temperature and pressure are so high that nuclei of atoms get closer and closer together and eventually fuse making one large nucleus.

Scientists usually accomplished this task by bombarding a large isotope with a second smaller one commonly a neutron. The collision results in nuclear fission. The sun uses it as an energy source.

In most cases heat from the nuclear reactions convert water into steam which drives turbines that produce electricity. Share tweet share pin. Huge supplies of clean energy made from readily available fuels that are effectively unlimited.

This is where all the elements that exist naturally came from except for h. The process happens in the stars i e. To get the ceo of general fusion a local company at the nuclear fusion vanguard to.

They say nuclear fusion could solve the world s energy woes in one fell swoop. Nuclear fusion as suggested by the name involves the fusing together of nuclei.