Is Full Ionization Necessary for Nuclear Fusion?

In summary, fusion requires the nuclei of atoms to come into contact, which can only happen if the atoms are fully ionized. This means that all of their electrons have been lost. Fusion reactors and bombs use isotopes of hydrogen, which have only one electron, to facilitate this process. Lithium is also used in some designs to produce the hydrogen isotope tritium. Ionization is necessary because it is difficult to bring two atomic nuclei into contact if they still have electron shells. While it is possible to generate fusion reactions without ionization, current theories suggest that ionization is required to achieve significant energy gain.
  • #1
v_pino
169
0
To initiate fusion, it says that the nuclei of each atom need to come into contact. And these atoms therefore need to be fully ionised for this to occur.

Does FULLY ionised mean that the atoms have lost ALL their electrons?

thanks :)
 
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  • #2
I don't think not being ionized is a problem at all. It's just that at temperatures high enough to get fusion, the atoms, which are all light atoms with just a few electrons, will be fully ionised.
 
  • #3
Fusion reactors as well as bombs use isotopes of hydrogen, so that the atoms have only one electron to start with.
 
  • #4
At the temperature around 15 million kelvins in the core of the sun, you couldn't get any electrons to remain with protons or with nuclei.
 
  • #5
mathman said:
Fusion reactors as well as bombs use isotopes of hydrogen, so that the atoms have only one electron to start with.

I believe Lithium is also used.
 
  • #6
Lithium is used in some designs because when it is bombarded with nuetrons it produces the hydrogen isotope tritium, which can be sued as fuel but is extremely difficult to store, so it needs to be manufactured and then used straight away.

As for ionization being necessary;

I think the main reason for this is that it is impossible (or at least difficult in the extreme) to bring two atomic nuclei into direct contact with one another (within range of the strong nuclear force) if they still have electron shells.
 
  • #7
You can easily generate DT fusion neutrons by bombarding a tritiated solid target with deuterons, so you don't have to ionize the atoms to get fusion. You do have to ionize everything, however (according to all currently-believable theories), in order to generate plasma conditions that would allow significant fusion energy gain.
 

1. What is fusion and how does it work?

Fusion is the process by which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. This process releases a large amount of energy and is the same process that powers the sun. In order for fusion to occur, the nuclei must overcome their mutual repulsion and come close enough together for the strong nuclear force to bind them together.

2. What are the different atomic states and how are they different from each other?

The three main atomic states are ground state, excited state, and ionized state. The ground state is the lowest energy state of an atom, while an excited state is a higher energy state that an atom can transition to by absorbing energy. An ionized state occurs when an atom loses or gains one or more electrons, resulting in a change in its electrical charge.

3. How is the energy released during fusion utilized?

The energy released during fusion can be utilized in various ways, such as generating electricity or powering spacecrafts. In a fusion reactor, the energy released is used to heat up a coolant, which then produces steam to turn turbines and generate electricity. In spacecrafts, the energy is used to power engines for propulsion.

4. What are the challenges of achieving controlled fusion on Earth?

One of the main challenges of achieving controlled fusion on Earth is creating the extreme temperatures and pressures necessary for fusion to occur. This requires a lot of energy and specialized equipment. Additionally, containing and controlling the plasma (a state of matter consisting of charged particles) is also a major challenge.

5. Are there any potential risks associated with fusion?

Fusion reactions do not produce greenhouse gases or long-lived radioactive waste like traditional nuclear reactions. However, there are still potential risks, such as accidents at fusion facilities and the possibility of radioactive materials being released if the reactor materials become damaged. There is also the concern of potential weaponization of fusion technology.

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