Lecture

Fusion and Fission: Energy of Fusion

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Description

This lecture covers the concepts of fusion and fission, explaining the energy released in each process and the mechanisms behind them. It delves into the fusion reaction involving tritium and helium, the energy equivalence between fusion and oil, advantages of fusion energy such as high energy density and inexhaustible fuel, and the security and environmental benefits of fusion technology. The lecture also discusses plasma confinement by magnetic fields, fusion power performance, and the future prospects of fusion energy with projects like ITER and DEMO.

In MOOC

Mechanics: Change of Reference Frame and Relativity

This module begins by explaining how to apply Newton's mechanics when the frame of reference is accelerated. Translations and rotations are considered in Lesson 15, in which context the famous "Coriolis force" comes to the fore. The Earth is a natural reference frame for us earthbound observers. However, there are experiments such as the Foucault pendulum, in which the Earth's rotation has a clear effect on the dynamics observed locally on the Earth's surface. Other less sensitive experiments, measured with

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Ontological neighbourhood

Physics

Plasma physics: Fusion power

Related concepts (32)

Fusion power

Fusion power is a proposed form of power generation that would generate electricity by using heat from nuclear fusion reactions. In a fusion process, two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, while releasing energy. Devices designed to harness this energy are known as fusion reactors. Research into fusion reactors began in the 1940s, but as of 2023, no device has reached net power. Fusion processes require fuel and a confined environment with sufficient temperature, pressure, and confinement time to create a plasma in which fusion can occur.

Magnetic confinement fusion

Magnetic confinement fusion is an approach to generate thermonuclear fusion power that uses magnetic fields to confine fusion fuel in the form of a plasma. Magnetic confinement is one of two major branches of fusion energy research, along with inertial confinement fusion. The magnetic approach began in the 1940s and absorbed the majority of subsequent development. Fusion reactions combine light atomic nuclei such as hydrogen to form heavier ones such as helium, producing energy.

Nuclear fusion–fission hybrid

Hybrid nuclear fusion–fission (hybrid nuclear power) is a proposed means of generating power by use of a combination of nuclear fusion and fission processes. The basic idea is to use high-energy fast neutrons from a fusion reactor to trigger fission in non-fissile fuels like U-238 or Th-232. Each neutron can trigger several fission events, multiplying the energy released by each fusion reaction hundreds of times. As the fission fuel is not fissile, there is no self-sustaining chain reaction from fission.

Inertial confinement fusion

Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is a fusion energy process that initiates nuclear fusion reactions by compressing and heating targets filled with fuel. The targets are small pellets, typically containing deuterium (2H) and tritium (3H). Energy is deposited in the target's outer layer, which explodes outward. This produces a reaction force in the form of shock waves that travel through the target. The waves compress and heat it. Sufficiently powerful shock waves generate fusion.

Nuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei, usually deuterium and tritium (hydrogen variants), are combined to form one atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons). The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as either the release or absorption of energy. This difference in mass arises due to the difference in nuclear binding energy between the atomic nuclei before and after the reaction.

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