How Does Gas Turn into Plasma and Fuse in a Magnetic Confinement Fusion Reactor?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of gas turning into plasma and the mechanisms involved in fusion within a magnetic confinement fusion reactor. Participants explore the sources of heat, the role of magnetic fields, and the sequence of events leading to fusion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the origin of heat and what forces push atoms together.
  • Another recalls that the initial energy for heating the gas to plasma comes from electrical current, specifically referencing "I Squared R losses."
  • There is a query about whether the magnetic field contributes to pushing atoms together.
  • A participant suggests that magnetic fields hold plasma particles together and that heat can be applied through induced current or electromagnetic radiation, though there is uncertainty about the order of ionization and heating.
  • Further heating is mentioned as necessary to provide the plasma with enough energy for fusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the mechanisms of heating and the role of magnetic fields, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the sequence of ionization and heating, as well as the specific contributions of magnetic fields to the fusion process.

TheJoninator
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Where does the heat come from? What pushes the atoms together?
 
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I recall the initial energy for heating to plasma is from electrical current. These "I Squared R losses" are I^2 X R where I is current and R is resistance.
 


Oh right, thanks mate. Does the magnetic field push the atoms together?
 


TheJoninator said:
Oh right, thanks mate. Does the magnetic field push the atoms together?

The magnetic fields hold the particles in the plasma together. The heat is applied through either an induced current or something like a laser or other EM radiation I believe. They turn on the electromagnets, introduce the gas, and then ionize and use the magnetic field to hold it together. (They might ionize it first however, I'm not sure.) Applying further heat gives the plasma enough energy to fuse.
 

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