Question

Fusion reaction takes place at high temperature because:
(A) atoms are ionized at high temperature
(B) molecules break up at a high temperature
(C) nuclei break up at a high temperature
(D) kinetic energy is high enough to overcome the repulsion between nuclei

Answer 1

The process of combining two or more distinct entities into a new whole is called Fusion or synthesis. In nuclear fission, multiple atomic nuclei combine to form a bigger and heavier atom, in which the mass of the new atom formed is less than that of the reactants, and the ‘missing’ mass is given off as energy.

Complete Step by step answer:
- The nucleus of an atom has a positive charge as the nucleus comprises protons and neutrons as neutrons in the nucleus are neutral and protons being positively charged gives the charge of the nucleus as positive. Hence, the charge of the nucleus is always positive.
- For the nuclei of the two atoms to overcome the repulsion caused due to having the same charge, high temperature and pressures are required.
- Temperatures for fusions must reach approximately six times to that of the temperature found in the core of the sun. At this heat, the hydrogen is no longer a gas but a plasma which is an extremely high- energy state of matter where electrons are stripped from their atoms.
- The high temperature is necessary for the nuclei because it is necessary for the nuclei to have sufficient energy to overcome the coulombic repulsions and come closer to the range of nuclear force (the force of binding that exists when two particles having the same charge are brought close to each other).
So, the correct answer is option D.

Note: You must not get confused between fusion and fission. Fusion differs from fission which splits atoms and results in substantial radioactive waste which is often hazardous. Although both nuclear fission and fusion are nuclear processes, by which atoms are altered to create energy, but in nuclear fission, one atom splits into two while in nuclear fusion two lighter atoms combine to form a larger atom.