thermonuclear fusion
Stars' energy source
Thermonuclear fusion is the process of combining light atomic nuclei into heavier ones at extreme temperatures, releasing enormous energy.
This is what powers stars, including the sun.
The term distinguishes fusion requiring millions of degrees from other nuclear processes.
A thermonuclear bomb or weapon harnesses this reaction—the hydrogen bomb being the prime example.
Scientists pursue controlled thermonuclear fusion as a potential clean energy source: The reactor achieved thermonuclear fusion for a few seconds.
Luminous astronomical object
- sunEarth's primary star
- coreCentral essential portion
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- hydrogenSimplest atomic element
helium · nucleosynthesis · main sequence · red giant · white dwarf · supernova · photosphere · corona
Plasma confinement device
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- confinementState of being restricted
- magneticAttracting iron or attention
- ignitionStarting combustion process
breakeven · inertial · laser · pellet · cryogenic · superconducting · vacuum · stabilization
Positive nuclear particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- isotopeElemental variant by mass
- deuteriumHydrogen isotope with neutron
- tritiumHydrogen's radioactive isotope
helium-3 · quantum · strong force · cross-section · subatomic · particle · ionization · gamma ray
Thermonuclear fusion weapon
- H-bombFusion-powered explosive weapon
- thermonuclear weaponFusion-based mass-destruction armament
- warheadMunition's explosive section
- megatonExplosive force unit
yield · fallout · mushroom cloud · test · detonation · stockpile · arsenal · proliferation
Energy transfer rate
- electricityEnergy from charged particles
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
- turbineBlade-driven energy converter
megawatt · gigawatt · output · baseload · clean energy · carbon-free · renewable · sustainable
star
Luminous astronomical object
hydrogen · helium · nucleosynthesis · main sequence · red giant · white dwarf · supernova · photosphere · corona · chromosphere
tokamak
Plasma confinement device
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- confinementState of being restricted
- magneticAttracting iron or attention
ignition · breakeven · inertial · laser · pellet · cryogenic · superconducting · vacuum · stabilization · heating
proton
Positive nuclear particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- isotopeElemental variant by mass
- deuteriumHydrogen isotope with neutron
tritium · helium-3 · quantum · strong force · cross-section · subatomic · particle · ionization · gamma ray · chain reaction
hydrogen bomb
Thermonuclear fusion weapon
- H-bombFusion-powered explosive weapon
- thermonuclear weaponFusion-based mass-destruction armament
- warheadMunition's explosive section
megaton · yield · fallout · mushroom cloud · test · detonation · stockpile · arsenal · proliferation · deterrent
power
Energy transfer rate
- electricityEnergy from charged particles
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
turbine · megawatt · gigawatt · output · baseload · clean energy · carbon-free · renewable · sustainable · abundant
thermonuclear fusionnuclear fission
Atomic core division
atomic fission · fission · splitting the atom · splitting atoms · nuclear decay
thermonuclear fusioncoal power
Electricity from combusted sedimentary carbon
hydroelectric power · wind power · solar power · geothermal energy
thermo, thermal, thermometer, thermostat, thermodynamic, thermodynamics, thermos, hypothermia, hyperthermia