The following table lists the main differences between fusion and fission reactions. Nuclear fusion is possible and has already successfully delivered energy efficiency in tests. Although the recent amount of energy generated by nuclear fusion on Earth is still relatively small, it is a good breakthrough after decades of research. This would mean that for the core of the Sun, which has a Boltzmann distribution with a temperature of about 1.4 keV, the probability of hydrogen reaching the threshold is 10 − 290 {displaystyle 10^{-290}}, i.e. a fusion would never take place. However, fusion in the sun occurs due to quantum mechanics. Yes, we can say that nuclear energy is a very productive source of energy because a huge amount of energy is generated by the firing of a neutron. Nuclear power plants are also not affected by seasonal conditions. It takes considerable energy to force nuclei to fuse, even those of the lightest element, hydrogen. When accelerated to sufficiently high speeds, nuclei can overcome this electrostatic repulsion and be so close together that the attractive nuclear force is greater than the repulsive Coulomb force. The strong force grows rapidly once the nuclei are close enough, and the molten nucleons can essentially “fall” into each other, and the result is fusion and net energy. Merging lighter nuclei, which produces a heavier nucleus and often a free neutron or proton, typically releases more energy than it takes to force the nuclei together; This is an exothermic process that can cause self-sustaining reactions. When protons and neutrons from lighter nuclei are combined by this nuclear attraction, the nuclear reaction releases additional energy.

This does not apply to heavier nuclei, which have a shorter-range nuclear force, which, instead of releasing energy through fusion, need energy as an input. However, fusion as a viable energy source is still a few years away. Nuclear fission and fusion reactions are the two fundamental types of nuclear reactions. Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more light nuclei collide to form a heavier nucleus. The process of nuclear fusion takes place in elements that have a low atomic number, such as hydrogen. Nuclear fusion is the opposite of the nuclear fission reaction, in which heavy elements diffuse and form lighter elements. Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission generate an enormous amount of energy. Currently, only pilot and experimental fusion reactors are being phased out, but the first operational commercial nuclear fusion reactor is expected to be operational by 2050. Two main methods are being studied to contain the high-temperature plasma needed for fusion reactions on Earth. These are magnetic confinement and inertial confinement. In addition to these main methods, studies have also been conducted on the catalysis of fusion by the use of muons, as well as cold fusion and bubble fusion.

With a powerful laser pin, scientists have reached an important milestone for nuclear fusion. This method uses magnetic fields to hold the plasma in place. The plasma is usually held in a ring-shaped chamber called a torus, with powerful magnets placed around the inner edges. The magnetic field keeps the hot plasma in the middle of the chamber and away from the edges. Plasma can also generate its own magnetic fields as it flows, which can also be used to further contain the plasma itself. This method has been successful in machines known as tokamaks, which can generate the heat, particle density, and energy confinement required to produce a fusion reaction. Helium-3 has many applications, but most importantly, it could be a fuel source for nuclear fusion and future planetary exploration. While conditions very close to those of a fusion reactor are now commonly achieved in experiments, improved confinement properties and plasma stability are still needed to maintain the reaction and generate sustainable energy. Scientists and engineers around the world continue to develop and test new materials and design new technologies to achieve net fusion energy. An exception to this general trend is the helium-4 core, whose binding energy is higher than that of lithium, the next heaviest element. Indeed, protons and neutrons are fermions which, according to Pauli`s exclusion principle, cannot exist in the same nucleus in exactly the same state. The energy state of each proton or neutron in a nucleus can accommodate both a spin-up particle and a spin-down particle.

Helium-4 has an exceptionally high binding energy because its nucleus consists of two protons and two neutrons (it is a doubly magical nucleus), so its four nucleons can be in the ground state. Any additional nucleons would have to pass into higher energy states. In fact, the helium-4 nucleus is so closely related that in nuclear physics it is usually treated as a single quantum mechanical particle, namely as an alpha particle. Nuclear fusion occurs when two light atomic nuclei combine to form a single, heavier nucleus.