For humans, the sun is at the center of everything. Powering our planet, our bodies, and essentially everything around us. But what powers the sun? What could possibly generate enough energy to power something as big and important as the sun? The answer is Nuclear fusion reactions.
How it Works
Fusion works by merging to light nuclei to form one larger nucleus, releasing massive amounts of energy. The sun specifically uses two isotopes of hydrogen, called deuterium (H^2) and tritium (H^3). The reaction produces helium and a neutron, along with energy.
What This Means for the Future
In 2022, scientists at the US NIF created a monumental feat, producing a fusion reaction that released more energy then it consumed. That reaction produced enough energy to power the entire US power grid.
If we could learn to utilize fusion energy to power our houses, factories, cars, etc, it would have a huge positive impact on the environment. Fusion energy has the potential to replace fossil fuels as the world’s main energy source. So, if this is such a huge discovery, why haven’t most people heard of it?
Have you Heard of Fusion?
Inside the science community, nuclear fusion is known to be an extremely important part of the study of renewable energy. However, outside of that community, few people are aware of the thing that could help save the environment we live in.
For example, of 17 Village students polled, only 3 had heard of fusion, and none of them actually knew what it was.
No? Well, Read On!
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