Nuclear+Fuse


 * Overview:**

Nuclear fusion is a process in which two light nuclei combine, creating a single heavier nucleus. Nuclear fusion is how thermonuclear weapons are made (such as hydrogen bombs)




 * Common isotopes used in nuclear fusion:**

Fusion of helium atoms makes up the stars and the sun. Solar energy is a chain reaction caused by the fusion of helium atoms in the sun. Lighter elements fuse together to create heavier elements continuously, until the nuclei reaches iron, having the most binding energy in the nucleus (with an atomic mass of about 60). The mass lost in this process is converted into energy. Upon reaching the atomic mass of 60, the fusion of the atoms stops, because higher masses are energetically unfavorable. Tritium (the heaviest isotope of hydrogen) has a half-life of approximately 12.32 years.


 * Decay/Artificial Transmutation in Nuclear Fusion:**

Hydrogen isotopes slowly change into iron isotopes during their lives when undergoing nuclear fusion.


 * Values and Advantages of Nuclear Fusion:**

Nuclear fusion has a great potential to create large amounts of clean, inexpensive energy. It could also provide advanced thermonuclear weaponry.


 * Risks:**

Because of the great amount of energy released from nuclear fusion, there is a high risk of explosion. Also, nuclear waste would pose a threat against the environment.

http://www.lbl.gov/abc/Basic.html#Fusion

http://www.standnes.no/chemix/isotopes/hydrogen-isotopes.htm