Nuclear Fusion Essay examples - 832 Words

The Industrial Revolution sparked a need for large sources of energy. Human and animal labor could not provide the power necessary to power industrial machinery, railroads, and ships. The steam engine and later the internal combustion engine provided the bulk of the energy required by the industrial age. Today most nations are still heavily reliant on energy that comes from combustion. Usually coal, petrolium, and natural gas are used. Some hydroelectric, wind power, and nuclear fission sources are used, but in the US they accounted for less than 20% of the total energy consumption in 1997 (1). Many experts are worried that natural resources such as coal and petrolium are being depleted faster than they are being replenished, which could†¦show more content†¦Unlike solids, liquids, and gasses, plasmas have no electrons surrounding the nuclei of its atoms. Scientists have been trying for many years to build nuclear reactors that would allow a sustained fusion reaction to occur. There are several factors that influence a fusion reaction. Since very high kinetic energies are needed for nuclei to fuse, the plasma in which fusion occurs is extremely hot. Temperatures in excess of 100 million degrees celsius are required for the easiest fusion reaction to take place. Plasmas are fluids, and therefore they have no permanent shape and will quickly disperse if not confined. A 100 million degree plasma will vaporise any container in which it is placed, so magnetic fields are used to contain the plasma. Since the electrons are stripped from the atoms in a plasma, all that remains is the positively charged nucleus, which can be acted on by magnetic fields. In magnetic confinement reactors, so-called magnetic bottles are created with magnetic fields that confine the plasma. In experiments, however, plasmas can only be contained for a few seconds before their oscilations cause them to come into contact with the walls of the reactor. The biggest problem in controlling plasmas with magnetic confinement is their chaotic behaivior. With continuing research, longer containment times are being recorded. Inertial confinement reactors use a different approach. Small fuel pellets containing isotopes ofShow MoreRelatedA Report Analyzing The Viability Of The Nuclear Fusion1730 Words   |  7 PagesCouncil Today I am writing you a report analysing the viability of the use of Nuclear Fusion as a energy source in your community. I will analyse the feasibility of this kind of nuclear power in your community by firstly explaining what nuclear fusion is and how it works. I will then use calculations to estimate how this new energy produced could compare to the amount of energy used by the city currently. Nuclear Fusion occurs when two small nuclei fuse to form a larger nucleus (this is not to beRead MoreTaking a Look at Nuclear Fusion993 Words   |  4 PagesNuclear Fusion Assignment 1. Nuclear fusion is the combination of two light nuclei to form a heavier one. However, controlling a nuclear fusion reaction has proven to be difficult. State three critical requirements which must be meet in order to achieve controlled fusion. Firstly, high thermal energies are needed to achieve controlled fusion. High temperature enable the particles to overcome the Coulomb barrier, the energy barrier due to electrostatic interaction that two nuclei need to overcomeRead MoreNuclear Fusion: The Last â€Å"Microfrontier† Essay examples1258 Words   |  6 Pagesof energy exists, and so does the process to create it. Nuclear fusion, a process in which the Helium 3 isotope is utilized is the rapture in which the U.S.A., and the world, could produce a great amount of energy as an alternative to petroleum. Whether nuclear fusion produces a substantial amount of energy for the U.S. may not matter. All good things come with speculation. Some critics, like Michael Moyer, suppose that nuclear fusion would create too much radiation, or harmful by-products thatRead MoreNuclear Fusion And Nuclear Energy Essay1638 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction:  ¬Nuclear energy is energy in the nucleus (core) of an atom. Atoms are tiny particles that make up every object in the universe. There is enormous energy in the bonds that hold atoms together. Nuclear energy can be used to make electricity. But first the energy must be released. It can be released from atoms in two ways: nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. In nuclear fusion, energy is released when atoms are combined or fused together to form a larger atom. This is how the sun producesRead MoreNuclear Fusion And Space Based Solar Power1598 Words   |  7 Pagesprice makes everything more advanced and sorely to build or produce. Secondly, benefit shows the destiny of a product. Finally, â€Å"impact on the environment† is what people should to think about. The differences between nuclear fusion and space-based solar power highlight that Nuclear fusion is more useful, proving that scientists need to give more attention to developing this power system. For the beginning, price always stays on the road of developing space-based solar panel. Scientists spend overRead MoreThe Physics Concepts And Principles Behind Nuclear Fusion1458 Words   |  6 Pagesconcepts and principles behind nuclear Fusion, the advantages and disadvantages of fusion and whether nuclear fusion could be used in New Zealand. Also, this report outlines the comparison between Fusion and Fission. A fusion is when a reaction in light nuclei combines to form a nucleus with greater mass. Fusion can take place only under extremely high temperature conditions. Another name for this process is thermonuclear reaction. The process of nuclear fusion is important to the future of powerRead More Nuclear Fusion a Feasible Source of Power Essay example2061 Words   |  9 PagesIs Nuclear Fusion a Feasible Source of Power? Abstract: Nuclear fusion may be an effective solution to the energy problem in today?s world. Fusion is environmentally friendly and has the potential to generate massive amounts of power. It is evident that the Sun?s power is fueled by nuclear fusion. Recent advancements such as ITER and NIF may bring us closer to being able to use fusion. We find that nuclear fusion is a long-term solution to a continuing problem. Introduction: Since theRead MoreDefinition of Key Terms Nuclear Power The use of nuclear processes (decay, fusion and fission) to600 Words   |  3 PagesDefinition of Key Terms Nuclear Power The use of nuclear processes (decay, fusion and fission) to generate energy in the form of useful heat and electricity. Fission reactions are currently further developed than other methods of producing nuclear energy; however it is believed that once nuclear fusion reactors are successfully developed to the extent to which they can function and produce substantial energy, they can be the leading form of energy production as they are substantially safer, moreRead MoreNuclear Fusion As An Alternative Energy1937 Words   |  8 PagesNuclear Fusion as an Alternative Energy Introduction Nowadays, electricity plays a huge role in many lives. We may not be able to touch electricity, but it touches our lives every day. From the time waking up in the morning until going to the bed at night, the daily life is dependent on electricity. Electricity has been traveling to homes, schools, businesses, industries. publics, and devices that improve on our livings. According to a study, there are only 1.3 million out of 5.4 billion peopleRead MoreNuclear Energy, The Energy Released After Nuclear Fission Or Fusion1637 Words   |  7 PagesAlbin Brucaj Period 2 Senior Thesis Ferraro Nuclear energy, the energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, especially when used to generate electricity. Nuclear energy has been one of the biggest controversies, not only in the United States but also, around the world. The concept of what a civilization should be or consist of has changed dramatically over time. When man needed food, he hunted, when he needed shelter, he built a home, when he needed energy, ah, that is