The problem nuclear fusion faces is not our inability to produce temperatures high enough; it is our inability to contain the fuel in a confined space long enough to make the fusion process stable. Case in point: we have had thermo-nuclear devices for decades.
Stars, such as our Sun, contain their fusion reaction for a simple reason. As you most likely know, stars are formed by the gravitational accumulation of hydrogen gas. As more and more gas accumulates, the amount of gravitational force exerted on each hydrogen atom/isotope entering the larger conglomeration of hydrogen gas gets larger and larger. Eventually the amount of energy that an individual atom gets from entering the gas accumulation gets large enough that it can fuse with another hydrogen atom/isotope.
When two atoms fuse together, they release energy. If you take two atoms (of any type) and fuse them together, the resulting larger atom will has less energy because of something called the binding energy of the nucleus. The amount of energy released in any nuclear fusion reaction is equal to the difference in the rest energies of the two separate atoms and the resulting atom. This extra energy is normally released in the form of photons (light) or neutrons. This extra energy then goes into fueling more fusion reactions, and a chain reaction begins to occur. The fact that all this energy gets released, combined with the fact that a star's gravitational forces keeps the fuel (hydrogen and helium among other atoms and isotopes) contained near all that energy allows stars to be self sustaining.
The main problem we face with nuclear fusion is sustaining it. The most promising way of creating a sustained nuclear reaction on earth is magnetic containment. In this process, we create a hydrogen plasma (a physical state in which atoms become so hot that the electrons are stripped from the nucleus) and put it into a donut shape (called a torus). This type of system is called a toroidal tokamak (the name isn't important, it's just for reference). We've come a long way in the past few decades in achieving a sustainable reaction, but just how far we are from truly attaining the goal won't be known until we get there. Hopefully that day will be soon!
Quote from below: "creating a plasma is next to impossible"
Creating plasmas is quite possible, and we've been doing it since the 1800's. Ever hear of a cathode ray tube? Or seen one of those lamps that light up when you touch it? They're filled with plasmas. And why do you think plasma displays are called as such?
2007-01-07 16:37:49
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answer #1
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answered by Patrick M 2
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The best way to create atomic Fusion artificially is by ncreating a high temperature Using "ATOMIC FISSION"
2007-01-08 10:25:41
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answer #2
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answered by afk 3
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creating a plasma is next to impossible,the only possible way for conducting fusion experiments are particle accelerators .Search the web for CERN for more info
2007-01-08 09:45:01
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answer #3
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answered by greatindiangenius 2
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