Nuclear fusion—once a theoretical possibility, is now realized by the scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility. US officials celebrated this incredible breakthrough as a “landmark achievement” and an opportunity to power our lives through clean energy sources–turning off dependence on fossil fuels for good! So how does it work? Let’s find out!
What is nuclear fusion and why does it matter?
Think of nuclear fusion as a way to recreate the stars – well, on Earth anyway! It’s an incredible process that involves two or more atoms fusing together into one bigger atom and releasing masses of energy in the form of heat. This could be used to generate carbon-free electricity with absolutely no waste products – something scientists have been working towards for years. All you need is deuterium (which can actually be found in ordinary water!) plus some tritium thrown into the mix and it would power your home… For around 365 days at least! How’s that for cutting down those pesky bills?
Hydrogen is a power source that could be the answer to Earth’s energy needs. Not only does it require less fuel than coal, its availability in vast quantities across our universe means clean, renewable and sustainable power can finally become reality! As Julio Friedmann of Carbon Direct put it so aptly: “Hydrogren really is waiting for us just around the corner – we need only open up tap!”.
How is nuclear fission different from fusion?
Fusion and fission may be two sides of the same nuclear coin, but their similarities end there. Fission is used to power reactors around the world today with its energy coming from splitting atoms into smaller ones, while fusion relies on combining them together – minus any risk of a meltdown! While both processes generate heat that can create electricity, they have different advantages; traditional fission has zero-emissions according to The Department Of Energy…but it produces volatile radioactive waste that needs careful storing for safety reasons. Nuclear Fusion meanwhile offers similar output without these risks – plus materials powering it boast shorter half lives than standard methods like fission.
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