3.4 Describe and explain the process of fusion in terms of forces and potential energy.

What force causes nuclei to repel each other during fusion?

Electrostatic repulsion (Coulomb force), due to the positive charge of the nuclei.

What must happen for fusion to occur?

The nuclei must overcome the electrostatic repulsion and get close enough for the strong nuclear force to take over.

What force causes the nuclei to combine in fusion?

The strong nuclear force, which is much stronger than the electrostatic repulsion at very short distances.

What does the strong nuclear force do in fusion?

It binds protons and neutrons together, allowing the nuclei to form a heavier nucleus.

What type of potential energy do the nuclei have before fusion?

They have high electrostatic potential energy due to their positive charges repelling each other.

What is the energy required to overcome the repulsion between nuclei?

The energy is called the Coulomb barrier.

What happens to the potential energy after fusion?

The new nucleus has lower potential energy than the individual nuclei, as the strong nuclear force holds them together more tightly.

What happens to the energy difference when fusion occurs?

The energy difference is released as kinetic energy (light, heat, and radiation).

What are the steps involved in the fusion process?

• Electrostatic repulsion prevents the nuclei from combining.

• The nuclei overcome the Coulomb barrier and get close enough for the strong nuclear force to take over.

• The new nucleus has lower potential energy, and the energy is released as heat, light, and radiation.