Do you think the nuclear fission reactor in France will implode on itself releasing a man-made star on earth?

Question

I hear that they are building a nuclear fission reactor in France. The benefits to our society would be immence, but if it backfires could it possibly destroy our exhistance?
I mean if it works we WILL have discovered a endless fuel source and our reaches will be greater than ever.
But technically couldn't it implode on itself destroying the facility and possibly the world?

Ok sorry I mean fusion not fission

Answer 1

I think you are confusing nuclear fission with nuclear fusion. All nuclear reactors in use are fission. These produce energy by splitting atoms into smaller 1's. They cannot implode. They can get out of control, as happened at 3 mile island & disasterously at Chernobyl. Fusion produces energy by combining 2 small atoms into a bigger 1. Stars are the only working fusion reactors we know of. H bombs use fusion to produce energy. Fusion reactors are under development in the US & probably elsewhere. So far, no one has been able to make a sustainable fusion reactor, so the danger of any kind of runaway are extremely remote.

All nuclear reactions produce energy by destroying a small quantity of matter (e=mc^2).

IF a viable fusion reactor can be built, it would indeed be a huge benefit to mankind, but as far as I know, it is still a long way off.

Answer 2

I expect not, but it does raise an interesting question, When the first A bomb was exploded, did the scientists consider that the chain reaction might continue through all matter turning our planet into a small sun?

Also, could some of the high energy experiments carried out at CERN or other places potentially create a mini black hole and suck the whole world into it?

I appreciate the probablity is low, but by definition we don't know what is going to happen when we run these experiments.

As a small comfort, if this did happen it would be so fast you wouldn't know anything about it. The scientists wouldn't even have time to say oops.

Answer 3

No. France has had fission for @50 years, so a new reactor is nothing to get your knickers in a twist over. Fission doesn't implode. The worst that could happen (and it is HIGHLY unlikely) is that whatever they're using for fuel (uranium, plutonium, etc.) could get to critical mass. One big boom, end of reaction. The facility might be destroyed, depending on a number of factors, but not the world.

Answer 4

There are thousands of fission reactors operating in the world at this very moment. The answer is no it will not. There would not be enough energy released if this reactor did explode to destroy the world. Such explosions have occured many times in the last century, they are called nuclear weapons.

Answer 5

Fission?

How do the french render a military salute?
By putting both hands above their heads.

Fission. We did that in a squash court at University of Chicago back in the 30's.

Now fusion, not freaking likely, yet.

science.howstuffworks.com/fusion-reactor.htm

Answer 6

Fission? No. If we ever get Fusion working, it may be a possibility. There is nothing about Fission that can cause a chain reaction. For those kind of things, you may want to read up on particle accelerators, and the mini black holes and super hot energy bursts they make. Crazy stuff.

Answer 7

For any fusion reaction to occur, three things must be satisfied SIMULTANEOUSLY! The plasma density must be high enough, so that the particles can interact enough. The temperature must be high enough so they can overcome the Coulomb barrier, and finally, they must be held together long enough to interact. If any of these criteria are not satisfied, the reaction will stop, end of story. Have no fear guys, I work on this all day, everyday.

Answer 8

In France? Who cares?

Answer 9

Gee, I hope not!

Answer 10

possible