Definition of «nuclear fusion»

Nuclear fusion is a process in which two or more atomic nuclei come together to form a single, larger nucleus. This occurs when the attractive nuclear force overcomes the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged nuclei. During this process, a small amount of mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2. Nuclear fusion is what powers stars like our sun and it has the potential to provide clean, sustainable energy on Earth as well through experiments such as ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor).

Sentences with «nuclear fusion»

  • A star shines by producing its own light from nuclear fusion in its dense, hot core. (webbtelescope.org)
  • The goal in all this is to create the elusive «burn,» a self - sustaining nuclear fusion reaction that produces more energy than is used by the laser beams. (discovermagazine.com)
  • Because energy is required to power these chemical transformations, there is less available to raise the temperatures inside the bubble to the intensity required for nuclear fusion to occur. (scientificamerican.com)
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