Which statement is TRUE about nuclear FUSION?

*
1 point
Nuclear fusion only releases a small amount of energy.
Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms slam together to form one, heavier atom
Nuclear fusion is used to provide electricity at nuclear power plants
Nuclear fusion is when atoms split apart

Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms slam together to form one, heavier atom.

Which is evidence for the existence of dark energy?

*
1 point
galaxies that are rotating at a constant rate
Pulsars that seem to be moving closer at an accelerating rate
Black holes that are expanding at a constant rate
Supernovae that are moving away at an accelerating rate

Supernovae that are moving away at an accelerating rate is evidence for the existence of dark energy.

Which characteristic is shared by both dark matter and baryonic matter?

*
1 point
They both have gravity
They both are capable of absorbing light
They both interact with each other
They both have been directly observed by scientists

They both have gravity is a characteristic shared by both dark matter and baryonic matter.

The true statement about nuclear fusion is that it occurs when two atoms slam together to form one, heavier atom.

To determine which statement is true about nuclear fusion, we need to understand what nuclear fusion is.

Nuclear fusion is a process in which two lighter atomic nuclei come together to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a significant amount of energy. This process is responsible for the energy production in stars, including our Sun.

Now let's evaluate each statement:

1) "Nuclear fusion only releases a small amount of energy": This statement is not true. In fact, nuclear fusion releases an enormous amount of energy compared to other sources. It is considered one of the most powerful energy sources known to us.

2) "Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms slam together to form one, heavier atom": This statement is true. Nuclear fusion involves the fusion, or merging, of two lighter atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. This process is the opposite of nuclear fission, where atoms split apart.

3) "Nuclear fusion is used to provide electricity at nuclear power plants": This statement is not currently true. While nuclear fusion has the potential to be a clean and virtually limitless source of energy, it has not yet been achieved on a practical scale for electricity generation. Nuclear power plants currently use nuclear fission, not fusion, to produce electricity.

4) "Nuclear fusion is when atoms split apart": This statement is not true. Atomic nuclei splitting apart is called nuclear fission, not fusion.

Therefore, the correct statement about nuclear fusion is: "Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms slam together to form one, heavier atom."