Nuclear fusion reactions, computer artwork. These three reactions are being investigated for use in fusion power. Protons are red and neutrons blue. T
Nuclear fusion reactions, computer artwork. These three reactions are being investigated for use in fusion power. Protons are red and neutrons blue. The relative amount of energy produced by a reaction is shown by the size of the pink flare at right. The top reaction is the D-T fuel cycle. A deuterium (D) nucleus fuses with a tritium (T) nucleus, forming a helium (He-4) nucleus and a free neutron. At centre is the D-He3 fuel cycle, in which D fuses with a He-3 nucleus, forming a helium nucleus and a proton. At bottom is the D-D fuel cycle, where two D nuclei fuse to produce He-3 and a neutron. D-T is the easiest, D-He3 produces the most energy. These reactions will be tested by the ITER project, scheduled to begin in 2016.
Size: 2939px × 2146px
Photo credit: © MIKKEL JUUL JENSEN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -, -4, -3, -he3, artwork, atom, computer, cycle, cycles, deuterium, diagram, energy, equation, equations, experimental, fuel, fusing, fusion, generating, generation, helium, hydrogen, illustration, international, ion, ions, iter, neutron, nuclear, nuclei, nucleus, particle, physical, physics, power, proton, reacting, reaction, reactions, reactor, subatomic, technological, technology, thermonuclear, tritium
