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a.

Complete the sentences to describe nuclear fusion:

  • Nuclear fusion occurs when two light atomic ___________ merge together to form a heavier product nucleus.
  • The total mass of the resulting nucleus is ___________ than the combined mass of the original reactant nuclei because some mass is converted into energy.
[2]
b.

To initiate fusion reactions, gas must be heated to extremely high temperatures to overcome electrostatic repulsion. Calculate the energy required to raise the temperature of 7.5 g of deuterium gas by 80 000 000 ∘C80\ 000\ 000\ ^\circ\text{C}80 000 000 ∘C.

  • Specific heat capacity of deuterium gas = 4800 J/kg ∘C4800\text{ J/kg }^\circ\text{C}4800 J/kg ∘C.

Give your answer in scientific notation.

[3]
c.

Before constructing full-scale commercial nuclear fusion reactors, researchers rely on computer simulations and small-scale prototype testbeds. Suggest two reasons why testing these models is important.

[2]
d.

A major advantage of nuclear fusion over traditional fossil-fuel-based power generation is the absence of greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Explain one environmental consequence of the gases released by combustion of fossil fuels in traditional power stations.

[2]

Nuclear fission and fusion (physics only) Questions

Practise AQA GCSE Physics Nuclear fission and fusion (physics only) with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 10 questions covering Nuclear fission and Nuclear fusion, matched to the AQA GCSE Physics (8463) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.

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Nuclear fission and fusion (physics only) Questions

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