Nuclear Fission & Fusion (AQA GCSE Physics): Flashcards
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What is nuclear fusion?
What is nuclear fusion?
Small nuclei combine to form larger nuclei, releasing energy
Mass change during fusion
Mass change during fusion
Some mass converts to energy; products weigh less than original
Deuterium-tritium fusion products
Deuterium-tritium fusion products
Helium + neutron + energy
Speed requirement for fusion
Speed requirement for fusion
Nuclei must move at incredibly high speeds to overcome repulsion
Stars' role in fusion
Stars' role in fusion
Giant fusion reactors
Main fusion reaction in stars
Main fusion reaction in stars
Hydrogen nuclei fuse to make helium nuclei
Sun's remaining fuel lifetime
Sun's remaining fuel lifetime
5 billion years
Electrostatic repulsion in fusion
Electrostatic repulsion in fusion
Positive nuclei push apart; fundamental barrier to fusion
Temperature needed for fusion
Temperature needed for fusion
Millions of degrees Celsius
Energy breakeven problem
Energy breakeven problem
Getting more energy out than put in
Fusion vs fission: process
Fusion vs fission: process
Fusion joins light nuclei; fission splits heavy nuclei
Fusion vs fission: conditions
Fusion vs fission: conditions
Fusion needs extreme heat/pressure; fission needs slow neutron
Fusion vs fission: fuel
Fusion vs fission: fuel
Fusion uses hydrogen isotopes; fission uses uranium-235
Why no fusion power stations yet
Why no fusion power stations yet
Extreme conditions required are harder to achieve than fission