CASE STUDY IS NUCLEAR FUSION REALLY THE FUTURE? What is nuclear fusion? is the process which naturally takes place in the Sun and other stars. In nuclear fusion, two or more atoms of elements such as hydrogen are fused together by high pressure and temperature. This process releases a big amount of energy. Nuclear fusion Nuclear fusion for producing electricity Over the last sixty years, scientists have been studying nuclear fusion as a possible way to produce electricity as an alternative to nuclear fission, which is the technology currently used in nuclear power stations. The biggest problem with nuclear fission is the production of waste, which continues to be radioactive for a long time; for this reason, it can be dangerous and must be stored safely. Nuclear fusion, on the contrary, does not produce waste, but the biggest problem of this technology has always been the great amount of energy employed, which has always been bigger than the quantity of energy produced. However, at the end of 2022, researchers from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California announced a successful fusion experiment performed with hydrogen atoms that has finally led to the production of an amount of energy bigger than the one employed to obtain fusion. A in nuclear fusion breakthrough Even if the energy produced was not much — scientists said it was enough to boil a few — the experiment represents a big advance in the fusion technology. A future in which power will be produced by nuclear fusion now seems possible, even if the experiment needs to be repeated and perfected, and the amount of energy it generates will have to be significantly increased. This experiment on nuclear fusion has a cost of billions of dollars, and further research will be as expensive; however, the promise of another source of clean energy will certainly be a big incentive to overcome these challenges. kettles Adapted from: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63950962 4. Read the text and find the words that match the definitions. The smallest particle of matter. ..................................................................................... The process of melting two or more atoms together. ..................................................................................... Continuous physical force exerted on an object. ..................................................................................... To let something go out. ..................................................................................... A person who is an expert on the natural or physical sciences. ..................................................................................... A place where electricity is produced. ..................................................................................... Something that is no longer useful. ..................................................................................... Emitting radiations or particles. ..................................................................................... An important discovery or development. ..................................................................................... Systematic study that leads to new conclusions. ..................................................................................... 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 5. In your own words, explain the importance of the nuclear fusion experiment mentioned in the text. GLOSSARY : : breakthrough svolta, passo avanti kettle bollitore elettrico