2007-02-25 04:05:00 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
At this point in time there is no material that can withstand the heat that is necessary to sustain the process. Scientists are working on a magnetic force to contain the plasma, though. Perhaps they have to think to build the reactor in space.
2007-02-25 04:13:20 · answer #1 · answered by Willem V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because a practical fusion reactor has not been invented yet.
All the fusion reactors that humans have made, so far, take more energy to run than they put out. Except for a few that have run for only a few seconds.
Europe might maybe have a working fusion reactor in about 20 years, if they are lucky and work hard.
2007-02-25 04:17:41 · answer #2 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a problem of sustaining the reaction. At present, we can only get a small reaction started by pumping huge amounts of energy into the material to get fusion started. However, as soon as fusion starts it gives off even more energy and the molecules fly away from each other and limit the reaction. We can't hold them close enough for long enough.
2007-02-25 04:18:37 · answer #3 · answered by MhrDeGroot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For fusion to take place, material has to be heated, compressed, and contained. On the sun, or some other star, gravity does all this for free.
On the Earth. magnetic fields, or lasers, or both, are used to heat, compress & contain the hot plasma. Currently, it takes more power to run a fusion reactor than what you get out of it.
2007-02-25 04:21:23 · answer #4 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋