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CrackerMcGinger
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So, I was wondering this; since fusion takes two atoms and combines them into one nucleus, can that increase the density of the resulting nucleus?
It wouldn't if only two atoms were combined, but if a substantial quantity of atoms were combined, let's say 1,000,000,000 atoms, wouldn't the density increase?mfb said:The density of nuclei is nearly independent of the mass of them. More massive nuclei are also larger, the density is roughly the same.
Where does the density of a nucleus matter?
By the mass of the original nuclei compared to the mass of the fused and its new size. Or so I would think.HallsofIvy said:How are you measuring the volume of the fused nuclei?
You cannot fuse a billion atoms to a single one. The largest stable atoms have about 200 nucleons, the largest short-living produced in a lab about 300.CrackerMcGinger said:It wouldn't if only two atoms were combined, but if a substantial quantity of atoms were combined, let's say 1,000,000,000 atoms, wouldn't the density increase?
How do you measure the size? Nuclei are not billard balls.CrackerMcGinger said:By the mass of the original nuclei compared to the mass of the fused and its new size. Or so I would think.
Uranium metal has a very high density of 19.1 g/cm3, denser than lead (11.3 g/cm3), but slightly less dense than tungsten and gold (19.3 g/cm3).
And atomic radii, which is determined by the electrons surrounding the nucleus.jim mcnamara said:Density has to do with how whole groups of atoms arrange themselves into crystals (or solids or gases), not how many protons are in the nucleus of an atom.
Is the density of feebly bound nuclei like deuterons the same as for better bound ones?mfb said:The density of nuclei is nearly independent of the mass of them. More massive nuclei are also larger, the density is roughly the same.
To a limit where the combined nucleus become unstable to positron emission or electron capture.CrackerMcGinger said:Is their any way to combine two atoms so that they don't lose their electrons and such?
How do you define the volume of deuterium? rms of mass? rms of charge? Volume that contains 90% of mass or charge? Cross sections? Something else? This is not a large issue for larger nuclei, but it is a massive problem for small ones.snorkack said:Is the density of feebly bound nuclei like deuterons the same as for better bound ones?
Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei collide and combine to form a heavier nucleus. This process releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat and light. In order for fusion to occur, very high temperatures and pressures are required to overcome the repulsive forces between the positively charged nuclei.
Yes, fusion can increase density. This is because when two atomic nuclei fuse together, the resulting nucleus is heavier and more tightly packed than the individual nuclei. This increased density is what allows fusion to release a large amount of energy.
Fusion and fission are both nuclear reactions that release energy, but they differ in terms of density. Fission involves splitting a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, which does not significantly change the density. Fusion, on the other hand, involves combining lighter nuclei into a heavier nucleus, which can increase the density.
No, fusion does not occur naturally on Earth. The high temperatures and pressures required for fusion to take place are only found in the core of stars. However, scientists are working on creating artificial fusion reactions on Earth in order to harness its energy potential.
Fusion has the potential to be a clean and virtually limitless source of energy. Unlike fossil fuels, fusion reactions do not produce greenhouse gases or radioactive waste. Additionally, the fuel for fusion reactions, hydrogen, is abundant and can be extracted from sources such as water.