"Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei, usually deuterium and tritium (hydrogen variants), combine to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons)."
The process of combining two nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.
"Two or more atomic nuclei, usually deuterium and tritium (hydrogen variants), combine to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles."
"The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as either the release or absorption of energy."
"Nuclear fusion is the process that powers active or main-sequence stars and other high-magnitude stars, where large amounts of energy are released."
"A nuclear fusion process that produces atomic nuclei lighter than iron-56 or nickel-62 will generally release energy."
"These elements have a relatively small mass and a relatively large binding energy per nucleon."
"Fusion of nuclei lighter than [element heavier than iron-56 or nickel-62] releases energy (an exothermic process)."
"The fusion of heavier nuclei results in energy retained by the product nucleons, and the resulting reaction is endothermic."
"The opposite is true for the reverse process, called nuclear fission."
"Lighter elements, such as hydrogen and helium, which are in general more fusible."
"Heavier elements, such as uranium, thorium, and plutonium, are more fissionable."
"The extreme astrophysical event of a supernova can produce enough energy to fuse nuclei into elements heavier than iron."
"...atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons)."
"This difference in mass arises due to the difference in nuclear binding energy between the atomic nuclei before and after the reaction."
"The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as either the release or absorption of energy."
"Nuclear fusion uses lighter elements, such as hydrogen and helium, which are in general more fusible, while the heavier elements, such as uranium, thorium, and plutonium, are more fissionable."
"Two or more atomic nuclei, usually deuterium and tritium (hydrogen variants), combine to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles."
"The extreme astrophysical event of a supernova can produce enough energy to fuse nuclei into elements heavier than iron."
"These elements have a relatively small mass and a relatively large binding energy per nucleon."
"Nuclear fusion is the process that powers active or main-sequence stars and other high-magnitude stars."