Nuclear fusion is the combining of lighter atoms to create heavier atoms. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy. Here's a simple explanation:
1. In nuclear fusion, light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. An example is the fusion of hydrogen nuclei to form helium nuclei, which occurs in the sun.
2. This process is different from nuclear fission, where heavy atomic nuclei split into lighter nuclei. Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun and other stars, generating massive amounts of energy in the form of heat and light.
3. One of the key challenges in harnessing nuclear fusion on Earth is recreating the extreme conditions required for the nuclei to overcome their natural repulsion and fuse together, a process known as thermonuclear fusion.
In conclusion, nuclear fusion is the process of combining lighter atoms to form heavier atoms, releasing substantial energy in the process.
