Which statement is TRUE about nuclear FUSION?
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.
The correct statement about nuclear fusion is:
Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms slam together to form one, heavier atom.
The correct statement about nuclear fusion is:
Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms slam together to form one, heavier atom.
To confirm this statement as true, we can consider the following explanation:
Nuclear fusion is a process in which two light atomic nuclei come together with sufficient energy to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between them. When they collide, the two nuclei can combine and form a heavier nucleus, releasing an enormous amount of energy in the process. This reaction occurs primarily at extremely high temperatures and pressures, such as those found in the core of stars.
Nuclear fusion is different from nuclear fission, which is the process of splitting an atomic nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei. In contrast to nuclear fusion, nuclear fission releases energy when atoms split apart.
Regarding the other options:
- Nuclear fusion actually releases a significant amount of energy, which is why it has been of great interest for producing electricity.
- While nuclear fusion has the potential to provide electricity, it is not currently used in nuclear power plants for practical energy production. Scientists and engineers are still working to overcome the technical challenges associated with achieving a controlled and sustainable fusion reaction.