Ydinliittyä

Ydinliittyä is a Finnish term that translates to "nuclear fusion" in English. It refers to the process by which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons). This process releases a tremendous amount of energy, making it a subject of intense scientific research for potential energy generation.

The most common example of nuclear fusion occurs in stars, including our Sun. Within the core of these celestial bodies, the immense gravitational pressure and extremely high temperatures force atomic nuclei, primarily hydrogen, to fuse together, forming helium and releasing vast amounts of energy in the form of light and heat. This energy is what makes stars shine and sustains life on Earth.

On Earth, scientists are working to replicate the conditions found in stars to achieve controlled nuclear fusion. This involves heating isotopes of hydrogen, such as deuterium and tritium, to temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius. At these temperatures, the nuclei have enough kinetic energy to overcome their mutual electrostatic repulsion and fuse. Various approaches are being explored, including magnetic confinement fusion, using powerful magnetic fields to contain the superheated plasma, and inertial confinement fusion, using lasers or particle beams to compress and heat a fuel pellet. The successful development of controlled nuclear fusion could provide a virtually inexhaustible and clean energy source, with the primary byproducts being helium, which is inert.