Process
When hydrogen atoms are fused together, they form helium and generate heat. To achieve this, the hydrogen isotopes are heated to extremely high temperatures. This allows them to overcome their repulsion for each other, and get close enough that the attractive forces between the protons and neutrons become dominant. This fusion results in a release of a large magnitude of energy (Nuclear Fusion, 2016).
Definition
In nuclear fusion, smaller nuclei are fixed together to create bigger, heavier nuclei.
Usage
Although this source of energy is extremely abundant because it only requires two hydrogen atoms to begin this process, nuclear fusion is not often used as an energy source (Nuclear Fusion, 2016). The reactors used for nuclear fusion must be able to heat the matter to a temperature that is ten times greater than the temperature of the Sun’s core. Reactors that can do this are difficult to control and maintain (Friedland and Relyea, 2015).
Testing
Countries that are leading the testing and research of fusion energy include the USA, Russia, Japan, and the European Union. Originally, the USA and the USSR used this research for atomic weapon development. But after the 1958 Atoms for Peace Conference, these secretive operations were brought forward. Additionally, the cost and elaboration increased so much that they either had to stop research individually or cooperate internationally.
