Fusion reactor

Definition

A fusion reactor is a device designed to harness the energy produced by nuclear fusion, the process where light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy. Fusion reactors aim to replicate the energy generation process that powers stars, including our Sun.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fusion reactors primarily use isotopes of hydrogen, such as deuterium and tritium, as fuel.
2. The key challenge in fusion reactors is achieving and maintaining the extremely high temperatures and pressures required for fusion to occur.
3. Fusion reactions produce significantly less radioactive waste compared to fission reactions used in conventional nuclear power plants.
4. Magnetic confinement (using devices like tokamaks) and inertial confinement are two main approaches for achieving controlled nuclear fusion.
5. The potential energy yield from nuclear fusion is much higher than that from chemical reactions or even nuclear fission.

Review Questions

• What are the primary fuel sources used in a fusion reactor?
• Explain why achieving high temperatures and pressures is crucial for a fusion reaction to occur.
• Compare the radioactive waste produced by fusion reactions with that produced by fission reactions.

Related terms

Tokamak: A type of magnetic confinement device used in fusion reactors to contain hot plasma using strong magnetic fields.

Deuterium: An isotope of hydrogen with one proton and one neutron, commonly used as fuel in nuclear fusion reactions.

Plasma: A state of matter consisting of ionized gases with free electrons, essential for achieving conditions necessary for nuclear fusion.