How does nuclear fusion actually work and why is it so hard when we already have nuclear fission?

Question

How does nuclear fusion actually work and why is it so hard when we already have nuclear fission?

In: 2

Answer 1

Nuclear fission and fusion are actually opposites. Nuclear fission is when the nucleus of an atom is split. This is what occurs in power plants and atomic bombs. Fusion is when two nuclei are combined. This is what occurs in stars and hydrogen bombs.

Fusion is a challenge because it requires such insanely high temperatures (around the temp of the core of the Sun) to drive the fusion reactions.