Which statements about nuclear fusion are false? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)
Responses
Nuclear fusion releases large amounts of energy.
Nuclear fusion releases large amounts of energy.
Nuclear fusion is used to generate electricity at nuclear power plants.
Nuclear fusion is used to generate electricity at nuclear power plants.
Nuclear fusion takes place in the cores of stars.
Nuclear fusion takes place in the cores of stars.
The fuel for nuclear fusion is often uranium.
The fuel for nuclear fusion is often uranium.
The statements about nuclear fusion that are false are:
1. The fuel for nuclear fusion is often uranium.
2. Nuclear fusion is used to generate electricity at nuclear power plants.
Explanation:
1. The fuel for nuclear fusion is not uranium. Nuclear fusion typically involves the fusion of light atomic nuclei, such as hydrogen isotopes (deuterium and tritium), to form heavier nuclei.
2. Currently, nuclear power plants rely on nuclear fission, not fusion, to generate electricity. Nuclear fusion has not yet been successfully implemented as a practical and sustainable energy source for electricity generation.
To determine which statements about nuclear fusion are false, we need to evaluate each statement individually.
Statement 1: "Nuclear fusion releases large amounts of energy."
This statement is true. Nuclear fusion is a process in which two atomic nuclei are combined to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process.
Statement 2: "Nuclear fusion is used to generate electricity at nuclear power plants."
This statement is false. While nuclear energy is generated at nuclear power plants, the current technology used is nuclear fission, not fusion. Nuclear fusion is still in the experimental stage and is not yet commercially viable for electricity generation.
Statement 3: "Nuclear fusion takes place in the cores of stars."
This statement is true. Nuclear fusion is the process by which stars, including our Sun, generate energy. It occurs in the extremely hot and dense cores of stars.
Statement 4: "The fuel for nuclear fusion is often uranium."
This statement is false. The fuel for nuclear fusion is typically isotopes of hydrogen, such as deuterium and tritium, not uranium. Uranium is primarily used as fuel in nuclear fission reactions.
So, the two correct answers are:
- "Nuclear fusion is used to generate electricity at nuclear power plants."
- "The fuel for nuclear fusion is often uranium."