So every other kind of energy we can get is from splitting molecules (combustion) or splitting atoms (fission)
So how come we can get energy from fusing atoms together?
In: Physics
Atoms and molecules want* to be at their lowest energy state. For atoms this means that every atom wants to be an Iron-55 atom (Iron always has 26 protons, Iron-55 has 29 neutrons).
Atoms that are lighter than this (like hydrogen and helium) can release energy through fusion. Atoms that are heavier than this can release energy through fission.
*They don’t really want anything, but the laws of the universe leads to this.
P.S: Combustion is not about splitting molecules. It’s about recombining molecules into a combined molecule that has a lower energy state. Burning gasoline for example means that the bond between carbon and hydrogen requires more energy than the bond between Carbon Dioxide. So by introducing enough heat to break the bonds and then allowing them to recombine with oxygen you get more heat.
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