Chapter 19, Problem 44A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Difficulties or challenges associated to development of a fusion reactor must be stated.

Concept introduction: In a nuclear reaction, unstable nuclide disintegrates into stable nuclide with emission of various radiations spontaneously. It is called radioactivity of nucleus. These reactions are of 2 types: fission and fusion. Fission is process in which heavy nuclides disintegrate into lighter and stable ones. When 2 lighter nucleus come together to create a heavy nuclide, it is called as fusion.

Answer to Problem 44A

Challenges that are associated to development of a practical fusion reactor are:

1. It is difficult or complex to begin a fusion process in comparison to fission.
2. High temperature needed to overcome repulsive force between 2 protons and fuse them together is real challenge to deal with.

Explanation of Solution

Challenges that are associated to development of a practical fusion reactor are:

a. It is difficult or complex to begin a fusion process in comparison to fission.

b. Binding energy is the energy responsible for binding of nucleons. This energy is functional at very small distance that is $\left({10}^{-13}\text{cm}\right)$ . For energy to be released, two protons has to be made to come close enough, which is very difficult. This is because protons are alike in charge so repel each other. To bind protons they have to be accelerated towards one another with very high speed. The magnitude of temperature needed for such speed is around 40 million Kelvin. To achieve such high temperature is a real challenge and still under examination.

Conclusion

Challenges that are associated to development of a practical fusion reactor are:

c. It is difficult or complex to begin a fusion process in comparison to fission.

d. High temperature needed to overcome repulsive force between 2 protons and fuse them together is real challenge to deal with.