Light nuclei combine (e.g. D+T → ⁴He + n + 17.6 MeV) releasing energy because binding energy per nucleon rises toward iron. Requires overcoming Coulomb barrier — hence high temperatures or quantum tunneling.
Light nuclei combine (e.g. D+T → ⁴He + n + 17.6 MeV) releasing energy because binding energy per nucleon rises toward iron. Requires overcoming Coulomb barrier — hence high temperatures or quantum tunneling.