NUCLEAR FUSIONThe power of stars

THE FUSION PROCESS

How stars obtain their energy

Two hydrogen atoms are smashed together at very high velocities

Nuclear fusion occurs at the center of all stars

Nuclear fusion gives universe energy Other energies originate

from this process

THE FUSION PROCESS CONT.

Gives stars the ability to illuminate, to emit light

Example of Fusion as original energy The gasoline to power your car comes from

petroleum which is deposited in the ground millions of years ago as microorganisms.

The microorganisms got their energy from sunlight which in turn, the sun gets its energy from nuclear fusion

CONDITIONS FOR FUSION

High pressure in core of star

High density in core High temperatures

in core A star must have all

of these properties for the nuclear fusion process to work

STARS AND NUCLEAR FUSION

Not all stars posses the ability for nuclear fusion to occur in their centers

White or black dwarfs do not have this ability

The fuel for fusion is the lightest gas in the universe, Hydrogen

STARS AND NUCLEAR FUSION CONT.

Main fuel for nuclear fusion is hydrogen Can use other isotopes of hydrogen such as

tritium and deuterium As a star runs out of hydrogen as fuel it

starts using bigger elements like helium and lithium as fuel Becomes red giant

When it runs out of fuel it either goes super nova or becomes a white dwarf depending on size of star

NUCLEAR FUSION AS ENERGY SOURCE ON EARTH

Main problem is finding a material that can withstand extreme temperatures of a fusion reaction A fusion reactor uses

very powerful magnets to contain the fusion plasma

Scientists say they may be able to use nuclear fusion as a commercial energy source by 2030

VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERE_gbBWlD0

WORKS CITED

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