Nuclear Fusion Summary

· ... Requires a large amount of energy.

· ... Is when lighter nuclei join to make a bigger nucleus.

· High temperatures are needed, similar to those in stars; this is because the nuclei initially repel each other due to magnetic charge.

· The energy released is higher than the energy put in the fusion.

Nuclear Fusion might be slightly confusing at first. In GCSE we were taught balancing equations. Whatever's put in, must come out. While in Nuclear Fusion equations, this isn't true.

For example:

²H₁ + ³H₁ → ⁴He₂ + ¹e₀