Heavy
hydrogen atoms
Deuterium
Plasma
150 million°C
Neutron
Energy
Tritium
Fused atoms
Helium
1
Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms combine to form a new atom and a neutron
2
The atoms are fired into a plasma where extreme temperatures overcome their repulsion and force them together
3
The fusion releases about four times the energy produced in atom-splitting nuclear fission, per gramme of fuel
Heavy hydrogen atoms
Deuterium
Plasma
150 million°C
Neutron
Energy
Tritium
Fused atoms
Helium
2
The atoms are fired into a plasma where extreme temperatures overcome their repulsion and force them together
3
The fusion releases about four times the energy produced in atom-splitting nuclear fission, per gramme of fuel
1
Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms combine to form a new atom and a neutron