How do fusion reactions release energy?

1 Answer
David Drayer
Jun 3, 2018

The transfer of mass to energy,

Explanation:

# E = mc^2#

In any fusion reaction the mass of the reactants atoms being fused into a larger atom is greater than the resulting larger atom.
This loss of mass is transferred into energy. A very small loss of mass results in a large produced of free energy.

The second law of thermodynamics indicates that eventually all of the mass in the observable universe will be converted into free energy.

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