Laser Fusion
A WebQuest for Tiny Tweezers
Introduction
How can you hold a reaction so powerful that it could easily destroy any container you put it in? Researchers who study fusion reactions face exactly that problem. Fusion—the process in which smaller nuclei combine to become bigger nuclei, releasing tremendous amounts of energy—only takes place in conditions similar to those found in stars. These conditions of extreme temperature and pressure would quite quickly destroy a conventional container, one made of any conceivable metal, nonmetal, or ceramic. For this reason, scientists have to use containers that aren’t made of matter to confine fusion reactions. The two main ways they accomplish this task are called magnetic confinement and inertial confinement. Recently, experiments using inertial confinement have come close to the breakeven point, the point where the fusion reaction releases more energy than it consumes. Unfortunately, reaching the breakeven point would not mean that the hurdles to building fusion power plants have been overcome. In this WebQuest, you will explore the use of lasers in inertial confinement of fusion reactions. You will use what you learn to write a position paper assessing the question of whether inertial confinement research will lead to fusion power plants.
Task
Write a position paper taking a stand on the following proposition: “Inertial confinement fusion research will lead to fusion power plants in the next 20 to 25 years.”
Process
As you begin your research, keep the following questions in mind. As your research develops, record your answers to these questions.
1. How are lasers used to contain fusion reactions?
2. What does it mean to reach the ignition point of a fusion reaction? Why is reaching this point important? Have any experiments successfully reached this point for a fusion reaction?
3. What important scientific and engineering hurdles remain after the ignition point is reached?
4. Why might scientists and engineers be confident that fusion power plants are within reach? Why might they be skeptical about the prospects for fusion power plants in the near future?
Position Paper
Write a position paper explaining your position on the following statement: “Inertial confinement fusion research will lead to fusion power plants in the next 20 to 25 years.” You must agree or disagree with this statement and fully explain your reasons for your decision. Be sure that your position is supported by facts gathered during your research. The process questions will help, but you will need to follow-up on any other questions that arise during your research.
Resources
Nuclear fusion is occasionally in the news, but it can be a very difficult topic to write about accurately. If you use any news articles, be sure to critically assess the information they contain. Are the articles logical and coherent? Do they cite any references for their information? What are those references and can you go directly to them for information? Be sure to verify and cross-reference any information you collect. A number of scientific and academic institutions have Web sites with information about fusion.
Evaluation
Use the rubric from the class homepage to help you understand how you will be scored on this activity.