Page 40 - myeong_shin_ebook_2019

Kang Sun-ae

The sun is known to generate nuclear fusion
energy1). Recently, research is being conducted
to artificially create another sun using this
energy. Before talking about the specifics of
the artificial sun, let’s find out how scientists
are trying to artificially make a sun.

As stated, the sun can make energy

through nuclear fusion. More precisely, this

energy is made inside the sun when two

Picture 1: The artificial sun hydrogen atoms are combined to make a
helium atom. The two hydrogen atoms and

the new helium atoms have different masses, so this mass deficit2) becomes energy through the equation

E=mc23). However, this simple combination becomes difficult on the Earth. This is because the gravity of

the sun is so strong that nuclear fusion takes place at only 15 million ℃, but, on the Earth, fusion requires

temperatures of 100 million °C. Then, how can scientists reach this 100 million ℃? To explain how, we need

to know about plasma. Plasma refers to a mixture of ions and electrons at very high temperatures. In this

plasma state, atomic nuclei can collide easily. In other words, the temperature can be raised to 100 million

degrees through continuing nuclear collisions. Scientists have successfully created temperatures of 100

million degrees in this way.

Currently, there is a nuclear fusion device called KSTAR in Korea which is being researched and managed
by the National Fusion Research Institute4). The fusion device, called Korea's artificial sun, succeeded in
maintaining more than 100 million °C for 1.5 seconds, a first in the world of plasma experiments. If an
artificial sun can be created in the future, it is expected that one gram of seawater could provide energy
equivalent to eight tons of oil.

_________________________________
1) nuclear fusion energy : 핵융합 에너지
2) mass deficit : 질량 결손
3) E=mc2 : 아인슈타인이 발표한 질량-에너지 등가원리 (E:에너지, m:질량 c:광속(3.0×108m/s))
4) the national fusion research institute : 국가 핵융합 연구소

40 MYEONG-SHIN GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL