Nuclear Fusion
Physics: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 5.1.9
Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear fusion fuses (joins) 2 smaller nuclei to create 1 larger nucleus. Creating this larger nucleus releases energy.
Stars
- Stars generate their energy from the fusion of hydrogen and helium nuclei.
Hydrogen bomb
- Hydrogen bombs use nuclear fusion to release lots of energy in an explosion.
Sustainable energy
- Scientists have tried to create sustainable energy using nuclear fusion.
- This is difficult as hydrogen must be heated to over 100 million °C.
Test yourself on Nuclear Fusion
Which of these describes nuclear fusion?
Which of the following are true of nuclear fusion?
Which of these correctly describes the difference between atom and hydrogen bombs?