nuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion is when two or more atomic nuclei join together to form a single heavier nucleus. It’s like two pieces of bubblegum trying to fit together, but instead of bubblegum, it’s atomic nuclei! It’s a lot like nuclear fission, except with fission you’re splitting apart atoms, not joining them together. It produces a ton of energy, with the potential to provide an almost unlimited source of power. The sun and other stars use nuclear fusion to turn hydrogen into helium, and it’s estimated that one teaspoon of the sun’s hydrogen fuel contains enough energy to power an average household for 10 million years! Fun fact: nuclear reactors on Earth are actually powered by nuclear fission, not fusion.