Atomic Structure - 4.4.2 Nuclear Fusion (GCSE Physics AQA)

Nuclear Fusion

Joining Nuclei

• Nuclear fusion joins nuclei together. The process of nuclear fusion joins nuclei together. This is essentially the opposite of nuclear fission; 2 small nuclei will be joined together to form a larger nucleus.
• The end product of nuclear fusion is heavy. Since we are combining 2 small nuclei to make a larger nucleus, the end product of the reaction is heavy. This fusion leads to a lot of energy being produced.
• Mass can be converted into energy. We have just mentioned that fusion reactions can produce lots of energy. When the two small nuclei join together, some mass is lost. This ‘lost’ mass gets converted into energy, which is released as radiation.