Nuclear Fusion

Hook Intro

- Imagine a world fully destroyed by human activities. The

atmosphere polluted with black gases. 70% of animals and
plants are extinct. Our world could come to a devastating end.
- Luckily we have the amazing prospect of nuclear fusion. Nuclear
fusion allows us to clean our planet of the pollutants we have
filled it with. It gives our planet a new start.

Intro

- Nuclear fusion is a simple yet a profound reaction where 2 hydrogen

atoms are fused. There are also alternatives to one of the hydrogen
atoms which can make the nuclear reaction produce more energy and
make it easier to contain and that is helium 3. Through the production
of nuclear fusion power, we can make earth a truly green planet and
increase our prospects of exploring the vast universe.

What is Nuclear Fusion?

- Nuclear Fusion occurs when lightweight atoms are fused

together to make heavier atoms. These lightweight atoms are
both positively charged, so a large amount of pressure and heat
is required to make them fuse. The final product has a smaller
mass than the two original products, so the remaining mass is
turned into energy. In the sun, the reaction is that hydrogen
produces helium 4 and 2 beta electrons. Artificial fusion reacts
hydrogen 2 and 3, deuterium and tritium, produce helium 4 and
a neutron. It is called a thermonuclear reaction and must pass
an ignition temperature before the reaction can occur. This
gaseous fuel is heated at more than 100 million degrees. At
these temperatures, it becomes plasma. The plasma particles,
deuterium and tritium, fuse together to form helium and high-
energy neutrons. This process releases energy, which can be
harvested and used. Nuclear Fission is the “green version” of
nuclear-power energy generation. Fusion provides 8times more
energy than fission reactions and a million times more than
burning fossil fuels.
- These reactions are very difficult to contain in containers
because of the high pressure and energy required to pull of this
reaction. For this reason, the plasma is contained within a
 magnetic field. This keeps the plasma in looping paths and it
does not touch the walls. Inside the magnetic chamber, random
turbulence causes the plasma to become more densely
concentrated, which is important in making the atoms fuse,
instead of spreading out. This is contrary to what scientists used
to believe. One example of a magnetic chamber is a tokamak,
which uses coiled metals to surround a donut-shaped chamber to
confine the plasma.

- Nuclear Fission suffers from a negative public perception. It

produces high-level radioactive waste disposal and threat of
nuclear weapons. Although uranium is available for large
quantities. The nuclear fission reactions can remain dangerous
for many eons. Fusion provides 8times more energy than fission
reactions. The reactants of fusion deuterium and tritium are
easily found. Deuterium is found in ordinary seawater and
tritium can be produced from lithium found in land deposits and
seawater.
- Nuclear Fusion proposes successful, unlimited energy at no
danger. The reaction is easily shielded and can be stopped if it
gets out of control, which eliminates what happened in
Chernobyl. With optimal design, no radioactive wastes remain at
all. The fuels that are needed are inexpensive and readily
available. Fusion is also a virtually inexhaustible energy supply,
which could eliminate most of the world’s dependence on other
fuels.

Alternatives to Nuclear Fusion: Helium 3

- Helium 3 is a light, non-radioactive isotope of helium with two

protons and one neutron. It is rare on earth but can be found on
the moon because of solar wind over many years. Earth is
protected from helium 3 because of our magnetic field. Tritium
decays into helium 3 with a 12-year half life.
- Helium 3 is proposed as a second-generation fuel source for
fusion power uses. It has the potential to be used as a fuel in
future nuclear fusion power plants. When T and D fuse the
release of a neutron results in large energy loss and also makes
the reaction very difficult to contain. By using helium 3 and D,
the aspect of releasing a neutron will be eliminated. This reaction
creates helium and a proton, which contains much of its energy
and is much easier to contain.
- Since helium is very rare on earth many governments have
signaled their space programs towards the moon for sources of
 helium 3. Because of solar winds, helium 3 is deposited highly on
the moon. There is about 1100 metric tonnes of helium 3 on the
surface of the moon down to a depth of a few metres. About 25
tonnes, which is a space shuttle worth could power the US for a
year. This means that helium 3 has an economic value of about
$3 billion a tonne. This helium 3 can be extracted by heating the
lunar dust to 600 degrees and brought back to earth to fuel a
new generation of nuclear fusion power plants. Russia is
planning to mine lunar helium 3 by 2015, the us will make a
moon base by 2024 and china plans to put a man on the moon
by 2017. Japan, Germany and India are all taking interest.

How Will It Help Man?

- By the middle of the next century the world’s population will

double and energy demand will triple. Industrialization and
economic growth of 3rd world countries will greatly rise. World
leading countries such as the US and China will continue to
become larger and larger economies. By this time, the natural
resources of the world will be nearly depleted and will be a
dangerous of energy considering the health of our atmosphere.
However, the world has an almost unlimited source of T and D.
This source of energy through nuclear fusion will be enough to
power the large economy of the world without harming the
diversity of our environment. The health of our planet depends
on the success of nuclear fusion power. It will be able to
eliminate the threat of global warming.
- Besides just making our planet safer and a better environment,
the process of nuclear fusion will allow us to explore the vast
edges of our solar system and eventually the universe. Through
mining the moon, the large countries will develop a base on the
moon which will be a large stepping stone towards going to mars
and even further. Also, the prospect of nuclear fusion is a lot
lighter than using gas, which makes it possible to carry more of
it and go further distances in a shorter amount of time.

Outro

- summarize all three main pts