1. Nuclear fusion: lecture 9.2 A

2. Fusion in the Sun
At extreme temperatures and pressures, Hydrogen fuses into He in the core of the sun.
Elements up to Calcium are created, also by fusion

3. Hydrogen fusion

4. Nuclear fusion
Light nuclei are joined together, or fused, to make heavier nuclei.
In stars, H fuses into He + gamma radiation + energy
Fusion is what causes stars to shine

5. Stars fuse elements from H to Fe

6. Heavier elements are created by fusion in
Supernova explosions

7. Solar system origins
Our solar system was probably made from the outer layers of a supernova.
All the heavy elements found on earth were made in that explosion by fusion reactions
Planetary nebula IC418

8. Star-gas-star cycle

9. Can fusion be an energy source on Earth?
+ uses Hydrogen, an abundant element.
+ the oceans could provide power for millions of years.
- Fusion creates dangerous neutron radiation
- Experiments in making fusion energy are just beginning to be successful

10. Fusion research
1 lb of Hydrogen could yield the energy of 16,000,000 lbs of coal
Water would be the source for Hydrogen

11. Fusion reactor Magnets spin H plasma @100 million C, high pressure
The H fuses into He, releasing radiation and heat
The heat energy would be used to make electricity

12. Tokamak reactor, Princeton University
In 1993, achieved temperatures 3 X those of the sun