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GCSE Questions: Energy Sources

Q26. Energy from the Sun is released by nuclear fusion.

(a) Provide the missing words:

Nuclear fusion is the joining together of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . During nuclear fusion the total mass of the particles _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

[2 marks]

(b) Nuclear fusion of deuterium is difficult to achieve on Earth because of the high temperature needed.

Electricity is used to increase the temperature of 4.0 g of deuterium by 50 000 000 °C.

Given that the specific heat capacity of deuterium is 5200 J/kg °C, calculate the energy needed to increase the temperature of the deuterium by 50 000 000 °C.

[4 marks]

(c) The idea of obtaining power from nuclear fusion was investigated using models.

The models were tested before starting to build the first commercial nuclear fusion power station.

Suggest two reasons why models were tested.

[2 marks]

(d) Generating electricity using nuclear fusion will have fewer environmental effects than generating electricity using fossil fuels.

Explain one environmental effect of generating electricity using fossil fuels.

[2 marks]

(Total 10 marks)