Fusion as energy source?

Question

Hello. =) I'm doing a study guide that's just for studying purposes. My teacher doesn't give me answers to this, it isn't graded, and it's used only for me and for notes.

The 'question' (it's not really a question, hehe) that I don't fully understand is:

"Explain how fusion can be an energy source when it requires an input of energy to push the nuclei close enough to fuse."

I don't know this answer to this, and these won't be very good notes if I don't know whether or not they are correct. Please help. :(






Thank you for your time! <:)

P.S. Thanks to all who answer, heh, it's almost 2 in the morning.

(- -

Answer 1

The answer to your question is simple. The hydrogen bomb that is so destructive is an example of release of a large fusion energy in an uncontrolled manner in a very short time. The trigger for that is a small fission device which first releases a lof of energy but is a tiny fraction of the total released. As one of the other answerers commented, we use a small energy to heat the tip of a torch or a flame and then we get much more energy out of the system.

Thus fusion of light nuclei like hydrogen releases a lot of energy which is useful, once the engineering aspects are mastered.

Answer 2

The most common form of fusion is, of course, the fusion of two hydrogen atoms. And, although it will requre a significant input to fuse two atoms, the resulting energy is theoretically enough to fuse more. So long as we collect some of the radiating energy and so long as we continue to input enough hydrogen fuel, we will get a viable energy source.

This is clearly the case, as the sun is a perfect example of fusion power. Although our best method of collecting that energy now is solar power, a lab-generated fusion power source may be viable sometime in the future.

Answer 3

Included in this article are some important points
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fusion
The basic question is very much along the lines of "How can we get heat from wood when it takes a flame to get the wood burning?" as in both cases, the initial energy boosts the reaction over a threshhold and once over, much more energy comes out than went in.

Answer 4

Check link for latest developments in Fusion Power generation. Science daily has archives with more info than you care to know.

Answer 5

The capability source for all existence on our planet is the solar. The solar, the closest megastar to Earth, is a huge ball of molten (sparkling) gasoline that provides capability in many procedures. the main glaring are mild and warmth, which save us heat. The solar additionally supplies capability that enables green vegetation to strengthen. green vegetation use the solar's capability to chop up water into hydrogen and oxygen by a technique called photosynthesis, the main suitable source of all nutrition on the earth. via using the solar's capability this manner, green vegetation supply animals the nutrition they ought to stay to tell the story. Animals eat vegetation and different animals, in turn, eat the plant eaters. whilst an animal or plant dies, its capability is going back into the earth, changing from flesh and plant fabric back into soil by specific microbes that proceed the by no ability-ending capability cycle. additionally, image voltaic capability, alongside with radio waves, x-rays, and mild-weight, is additionally used to ability our autos and homes. Fossil fuels, alongside with gasoline and coal are derived from animals and small vegetation that have been based on the solar's capability hundreds of thousands of years in the past. Hydroelectrical capability or maybe wind capability are made accessible via the solar. The solar evaporates water from the oceans, lakes, and rivers, and this water vapor varieties clouds. The rain falls back to the floor and flows in rivers. We build dams to harness that capability and use it as electrical energy. Wind capability additionally comes from the solar's ability. because of the fact the solar heats our planet inconsistently, air flows from less warm to warmer factors, bobbing up wind.

Answer 6

you get more energy out than you put in. Thats why.

Small atoms being joined releases energy.

Large atoms splitting releases energy.

There's some size nucleus where it trades-off... I forgot which element/isotope.

Answer 7

it is possible but to reach that heat we would use up so much energy that it would be pointless. the thing that u should be searching for is cold fusion 2 scientists claimed they achieved it during the electrolysis of heavy water but no one could ever replicate it
try the link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_fusion