Nuclear Fusion
1. Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei are combined to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons).
2. Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier one while releasing massive amounts of energy.
Our current nuclear power stations use nuclear fission – essentially splitting an atom’s nucleus. Nuclear fusion is what happens in the Sun and other stars and involves joining two atomic nuclei to make one larger one. Both reactions release large amounts of energy, but with nuclear fusion there is very high energy yield and very low nuclear waste production.
Fusion occurs when two light atoms bond together, or fuse, to make a heavier one. The total mass of the new atom is less than that of the two that formed it; the "missing" mass is given off as energy, as described by Albert Einstein's famous E=mc2 equation.
There are several "recipes" for cooking up nuclear fusion, which rely on different atomic combinations. The most promising combination for power on Earth today is the fusion of a deuterium atom with a tritium one. The process, which requires temperatures of approximately 72 million degrees Fahrenheit (39 million degrees Celsius), produces 17.6 million electron volts of energy.
Deuterium is a promising ingredient because it is an isotope of hydrogen. In turn, hydrogen is a key part of water. A gallon of seawater (3.8 litres) could produce as much energy as 300 gallons (1,136 litres) of petrol.
Словник Webster's Dictionary https://www.merriam-webster.com/
What is Nuclear Fusion? // International Atomic Energy Agency https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-nuclear-fusion
What is nuclear fusion? The science explained // Weforum https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/nuclear-fusion-science-explained/