CCEA A-Level Physics 1210
Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors
Moments and Equilibrium
Linear Motion and Dynamics
Newton's Laws of Motion
Linear Momentum and Impulse
Work, Energy and Power
Current, Charge and Potential Difference
Resistance and Resistivity
Internal Resistance and Potential Dividers
Waves
Refraction
Lenses
Superposition, Interference and Diffraction
Quantum Physics
Wave-Particle Duality
Astronomy
Practical Skills and Data Analysis
Deformation of Solids
Thermal Physics
Uniform Circular Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
The Nucleus and Radioactive Decay
Nuclear Energy, Fission and Fusion
Gravitational Fields
Electric Fields
Capacitors
Magnetic Fields
Charged Particles and Accelerators
Nuclear Energy, Fission and Fusion
The ITER tokamak fusion reactor
- 3 things to know
- Unit A2 1
Overview
Nuclear fusion, fuel used in the ITER tokamak and approximate temperature required for the deuterium–tritium reaction in ITER.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Define nuclear fusion.
State the fuel used in the ITER tokamak.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define nuclear fusion.
Model answer
Nuclear fusion is the joining together of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, with the release of energy because the product is more tightly bound than the reactants.
- 2
State the fuel used in the ITER tokamak.
Model answer
The fuel is a mixture of the two heavy isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium.
- 3
Write the deuterium–tritium reaction used in ITER and state the energy released.
Model answer
²₁H + ³₁H → ⁴₂He + ¹₀n, releasing 17.6 MeV, of which about four fifths is carried away as kinetic energy of the neutron.
- 4
Why must the fuel be raised to an extremely high temperature before fusion can occur?
Model answer
Both nuclei are positively charged and repel each other electrostatically, so they must be given enough kinetic energy to approach within a few femtometres, where the attractive strong nuclear force can take over.
- 5
State the approximate temperature required for the deuterium–tritium reaction in ITER.
Model answer
A temperature of about 1.5 × 10⁸ K is required, roughly ten times the temperature at the centre of the Sun.
- 6
What is a plasma?
Model answer
A plasma is a gas so hot that its atoms are fully ionised, so it consists of free positive nuclei and free electrons and is electrically conducting.
Other ways to work this
The same content, four other ways.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Every question in Nuclear Energy, Fission and Fusion, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.