Nuclear Fusion: Hydrogen Bomb, Sun Energy and Cheap Source of Power

Nuclear fusion is a radioactive process whereby two or more light nuclei fuse or combine to form a heavier and more stable nucleus with the emission or release of energy and radiation.

The fusion of light atoms to form heavier atoms requires a very large quantity of heat trigger amounting to a temperature as high as 1.5 × 10⁷ °C in a process called thermonuclear reaction. This is essential to overcome the strong repulsive force between the positively charged nuclei.

Although both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are known for the evolution of large quantity of energy far more than the energy generated from carbon fuel (fossil fuel) and any other sources of fuel known to man, the amount of energy produced per unit mass of nuclear fuel liberated by nuclear fusion is far more than the amount liberated by nuclear fission.

The prospect of nuclear fusion is explained further in its application to cheaper source of power in the form of electricity, hydrogen bomb and as the principal source of the energy of the sun.

Hydrogen bomb is known for the evolution of enormous amount of heat and subsequent radiation hazard from the emission of large amount of Gamma-rays. But hydrogen bomb is a fusion bomb, as such informed of the question of the source of the high temperature required by nuclear fusion. The truth is that nuclear fusion in hydrogen bomb is combined with nuclear fission reaction to generate the heat required for the fusion of the nuclei.

Hydrogen bomb is due to the fusion of two Isotopes of hydrogen: Tritium (³₁T) and Deuterium (²₁D). Once exposed to the heat from fission bomb explosion, they fuse to form Helium with the evolution of enormous amount of energy.

²₁D + ³₁T → ⁴₂He + ¹₀n + energy

Though the fission bomb in hydrogen bomb is primarily a detonating agent, the emission of γ-radiation from the fission reaction contributes enormously to the lethal power of the hydrogen bomb.

Apart from the atomic bomb and application to the generation of electricity, the source of the energy of the sun have been attributable to nuclear fusion activities within the sun. This is supported by the fact that the hydrogen is about seventy five percent of the mass of the sun and Helium, which is the by product of the fusion of the Isotopes of hydrogen, is the next most abundant element in the sun. It is believed that the entire life cycle of the sun is associated by nuclear fusion where series of processes known as the p-p (proton-proton) chain converts hydrogen nuclei into helium nucleus. The concept of thermonuclear reactions within the sun also extend to smaller and larger stars within the universe.

It is well established that hydrogen fusion could be a great source of cheap, available and extensive power primarily in the form of electric power. Heavy hydrogen (Deuterium and Tritium) is known to form one part in 45,000 parts of water. This is a great reserve of energy if properly tapped. The theory behind the generation of power from hydrogen fusion is well established. The practical demonstration of its usage is also established. What is required is how to extract the hydrogen from sea water in commercial value and inject it into a controlled fusion process.