Does Fission Affect Nuclear Fusion Rates?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between nuclear fission and fusion rates, specifically whether fission affects the rates of nuclear fusion reactions. Participants explore concepts related to the fusion of deuterium and tritium, the production of neutrons, and the conditions necessary for fusion to occur.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if combining certain elements decreases nuclear fusion reactions due to fission, indicating some confusion about the relationship between the two processes.
  • Another participant requests clarification on the initial question to better understand the inquiry.
  • A participant refers to the fusion of deuterium and tritium, noting the products of the reaction and providing a link for additional information.
  • There is a claim that the fusion process produces free neutrons and questions whether these neutrons continue to exist until all are absorbed or destroyed.
  • One participant states that the neutrons produced in the fusion reaction are too energetic to participate in further fusion reactions and emphasizes that fusion does not require neutrons.
  • A question is raised about the necessity of an ignition source from fission to produce more neutrons if deuterium-tritium gas is already combined.
  • A response clarifies that while neutrons are needed to initiate fission reactions, the neutrons from a DT fusion reaction are not suitable for this purpose due to their high energy, and that heat from fission is typically required to ignite fusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interaction between fission and fusion processes, with no consensus reached on how fission affects fusion rates or the necessity of neutrons in these reactions.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the conditions under which fusion occurs and the role of neutrons in both fission and fusion processes. The discussion reflects varying levels of understanding and interpretation of nuclear reactions.

Christopher.V
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If you combined these elements does it decrease the nuclear fusion reaction because of the fission or do i have this all mixed up??
 
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We'd appreciate it so much if you elaborate more on your question, please be specific :)
 
so when fused it creates 4He +n and during a nuclear reaction it continues to make more +n free neutrons? am i correct on this.
which continues until all the free neutrons are taken? or destroyed?
 
The neutrons from this reaction are about 14.1 MeV, which is much too high to participate in any other fusion reaction. You do not need need any neutrons to produce fusion. You will need a very hot plasma of inertially or magnetically confined deuterons and tritons, or a beam of deuterons hitting a target with tritium in it to get DT fusion.
 
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But if DT gas is already combined is their not a need of and ignition source for fission?
to make more neturons?
 
Hello Christopher-
Neutrons are needed to make fission sources go critical, but those neutrons are (almost) always thermal neutrons. The 14.1 MeV neutrons from a DT (deuterium-tritium) reaction are very difficult to thermalize. Usually, the heat from a fission reaction is needed to ignite a DT (fusion) reaction.
Bob S
 

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