21.3 - Nuclear Fusion
What nuclear fusion is
- Nuclear fusion is when two light nuclei collide at high speed and join together to make a single larger, heavier nucleus.
- For example, hydrogen nuclei fuse to form a helium nucleus.
- Fusion is the process that powers stars, including the Sun, releasing energy by fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores.
TermDefinition
Nuclear fusionThe joining of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.