New Energy Source Discovered
Nuclear Fusion
How it was discovered:
With F.W Aston's measurements of low mass elements and Einstein's discovery that E=mc^2 it was calculated that large amounts of energy are produced by fusing small nuclei together. This provides the energy for the stars.
Nuclear Fusion Process
Nuclear Fusion Reactor in the UK
Fusion vs Fission
Fusion and Fission
What's the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fusion?
Nuclear Fission is the reaction that comes from splitting a large atom into two or more smaller ones. Nuclear Fusion is the fusing of two or more smaller atoms into one larger one. Nuclear fission does not occur naturally, however nuclear fusion does, it is what provides energy for the stars, including our sun.
Environmental Effects and Safety Concerns
The use of nuclear fusion for energy could potentially reduce the harmful effects on the environment, because, like nuclear fission, it is a clean energy source and does not contribute to acid rain or the greenhouse effect. It may not have a damaging effect on the environment, but how safe is nuclear fusion? Although there has been a successful production of a small amount of energy through nuclear fusion it was done in a strictly controlled environment and is still dangerous to carry out.
Economic Impact
It is our hope to successfully create fusion reactors at a price that consumers can afford by the year 2030. Fusion research is less than $2billion a year, that is less than 0.05% of the world energy market expense. With the amount of money spent in that market, more of it should be dedicated to alternative fuel options like fusion. If the advances in fusion reaction comes to fruition and there can be cars and planes and household energy provided by fusion reactions then it will be cheaper in the long run than finding and mining for fossil fuels.