How nuclear fusion works

Heavy hydrogen atoms

Deuterium

Plasma

150m°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 when an atom is split in conventional

nuclear fission

Heavy hydrogen atoms

Deuterium

Plasma

150m°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

when an atom is split in

conventional nuclear fission