Question

Define nuclear fusion and explain it with the help of the Binding Energy per Nucleon. Why would not this reaction happened naturally on Earth?

Answer 1

Nuclear Fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei are combined to form one or different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles(neutrons or protons). The difference in the mass of the reactants and products is manifested as either the release or absorption of energy.

Nuclear binding energy is the minimum energy required to disassemble the nucleus of an atom into its constituent parts. These component parts are neutrons and protons , which are collectively called nucleons.

Nuclei with low mass number may undergo nuclear fusion, where light nuclei are joined together under certain conditions so that the final product may have a greater binding energy per nucleon.

Nuclear fusion doesn't occur naturally on Earth because it requires temperatures far higher than Earth temperatures.