Fusioonienergia

Fusioonienergia is the energy released when two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. This process, the same one that powers the sun and other stars, involves overcoming the electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged nuclei. The resulting heavier nucleus has a slightly smaller mass than the sum of the original nuclei's masses, and this difference in mass is converted into a large amount of energy according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc². Achieving controlled fusion on Earth is a significant scientific and engineering challenge. The conditions required for fusion, such as extremely high temperatures (millions of degrees Celsius) and pressures, are difficult to create and maintain. These conditions are typically achieved by confining a plasma, an ionized gas, using either magnetic fields or inertial confinement through high-powered lasers. Research into fusion energy aims to harness this immense power source as a potentially clean, safe, and virtually inexhaustible form of energy. Unlike nuclear fission, which powers current nuclear reactors, fusion produces minimal long-lived radioactive waste. However, the technological hurdles to building a practical fusion power plant are substantial, and widespread commercial use remains a long-term goal.