Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Science

longship

(40,416 posts)

1. One has to use deuterium.

Reply to muriel_volestrangler (Original post)

Fri Dec 11, 2015, 03:29 PM

Dec 2015

Ordinary hydrogen has no neutron with which to make helium, which requires two of them. Deuterium has the required neutron in its nucleus.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

11 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

German Physicists Reach Milestone In Nuclear Fusion Energy Quest [View all] muriel_volestrangler Dec 2015 OP

One has to use deuterium. longship Dec 2015 #1

Deuterium is relatively easy to concentrate, though muriel_volestrangler Dec 2015 #2

Yup! longship Dec 2015 #3

3H, not 3He. nt thereismore Dec 2015 #4

It both works, one reaction throws away a neutron, the other reaction throws away a proton jakeXT Dec 2015 #5

Nice, thanks. nt thereismore Dec 2015 #6

Elemental helium has no neutrons. Angleae Dec 2015 #7

AFAIK, almost all helium has 2 neutrons. longship Dec 2015 #8

On earth yes. In space no. Angleae Dec 2015 #9

Helium-2 is extremely unstable. longship Dec 2015 #10

Beta decay takes care of that. Treant Dec 2015 #11

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»German Physicists Reach M...»Reply #1