Chapter 4, Problem 55EAP

Fusion Power. No one has yet succeeded in creating a commercially viable way to produce energy through nuclear fusion. However, suppose we could build fusion power plants using the hydrogen in water as a fuel. Based on the data in Table 4.1, how much water would we need each minute to meet U.S. energy needs? Could such a reactor power the entire United States with the water flowing from your kitchen faucet? Explain. (Hint: Use the annual U.S. energy consumption to find the energy consumption per minute, and then divide by the energy yield from fusing 1 liter of water to figure out how many liters would be needed each minute.)