Why such high pressures and such high temperatures are necessary for nuclear fusion to occur?
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Why such high pressures and such high temperatures are necessary for nuclear fusion to occur?
First, fusion requires both extremely high temperatures to give hydrogen atoms enough energy to overcome repulsion between the protons. Second, high pressures are needed to squeeze hydrogen atoms close enough to fuse. This process is done by using intense magnetic fields, lasers, or ion beams.
Why is fusion pressure high?
A high pressure helps because it causes all the hydrogen nuclei in the sun to squeeze into a smaller space. Then there is more chance of one hydrogen bumping into another. A high temperature helps because it makes the hydrogen nuclei move faster. They need this extra speed so that they can get close together and join.
Is high pressure needed for fusion?
Answer: In order to fuse two hydrogen atoms two things are required: high temperature and high pressure. The minimum temperature required to fuse hydrogen is about 100 million Kelvin, which is about six times the temperature in the core of our Sun.
Why can fusion only occur at very high temperatures and a high density?
On Earth it is very difficult to start nuclear fusion reactions that release more energy than is needed to start the reaction. The reason is that fusion reactions only happen at high temperature and pressure, like in the Sun, because both nuclei have a positive charge, and positive repels positive.
Does fission require high temperatures?
High density, high temperature environment is required. Energy Requirement: Takes little energy to split two atoms in a fission reaction. Extremely high energy is required to bring two or more protons close enough that nuclear forces overcome their electrostatic repulsion.
Does fusion have to take place at high temperature?
On Earth, to produce net power, fusion reactions must take place at very high temperatures of at least 100 million degrees, which is some seven times hotter than the centre of the Sun. At these very high temperatures the fusion fuel turns into a plasma.