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Edgewood11
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I need a detailed explanation as to how nuclear fusion works. How it produces energy and why? Be very specific as I have a general understanding.
"Matter" is mostly just energy of interaction fields in particles. Only about 10% of the mass of the proton is in the valence quarks. The other 90% are in various particles that pop in and out from vacuum fluctuation and interaction fields. The fraction of "matter" that gets converted to energy is from these interactions. Effectively, two protons and two neutrons that make up a helium nucleus are lighter than each particle isolated by itself.Edgewood11 said:I understand that strong forces overcome electrostatic forces and a neutron is released. But why does this happen? Where does e=mc2 come? What matter is converted to energy?
About 1%, or 10 MeV out of ~940 MeV.K^2 said:Only about 10% of the mass of the proton is in the valence quarks.
That is true for special fusion processes only.I understand that strong forces overcome electrostatic forces and a neutron is released.
Quantum mechanics.But why does this happen?
Where does the universe with its physics come from?Where does e=mc2 come?
Edgewood11 said:I need a very detailed explanation as to how mass is lost in deuterium/tritium fusion and how energy is produced (e=mc2).
You are thinking of current mass vs dynamic mass. But even if we look at dynamic mass, only about 10% is due to the valence quarks. The other 90% is dynamic mass of the sea.mfb said:About 1%, or 10 MeV out of ~940 MeV.
Edgewood11 said:Helium= 28 MeV
Deuterium= 2 MeV
Tritium= 8 MeV
I thought fusion created energy because helium's binding energy is less than d and t?
Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms, typically hydrogen nuclei, collide at high speeds and fuse together to form a new atom. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy.
Currently, scientists are still working on developing technology to control and sustain nuclear fusion reactions. While fusion has been achieved in laboratory settings, it has not yet been harnessed for large-scale energy production.
Nuclear fusion involves combining two smaller atoms to form a larger atom, while nuclear fission involves splitting a larger atom into smaller atoms. Fusion releases more energy than fission, and it produces less radioactive waste.
Hydrogen is the most commonly used element in nuclear fusion reactions. Other elements, such as helium and lithium, can also be used, but they require much higher temperatures and pressures to achieve fusion.
If harnessed for energy production, nuclear fusion could provide a nearly unlimited source of clean energy. It produces minimal waste and does not emit greenhouse gases or contribute to climate change. It could also potentially provide a solution to the world's energy needs without relying on fossil fuels.