<p align="right">Last Update: <font color="#4f81bd">July, 29, 2024</font></p> ## BIG IDEAS - Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process. - A fusion reaction releases a significant amount of energy because the mass of the resulting nucleus is slightly less than the sum of the original nuclei. - This lost mass is converted into energy according to Einstein's equation, $E \ = \ mc^2$ >[!important] The Sun >powers the sun and other stars, providing their immense energy and light. > --- Return [[Home|Home]] | [[Nuclear Physics]] | [[The Nucleus]] | [[Shell Model of the Nucleus]] | [[Modes of Decay]] | [[Half-Life]] | [[Fission]] | [[Fusion]]