Page 51 - Reading Success B7

There is enough hydrogen in one gallon of seawater to provide as much heat
as 10,000 electric space heaters running for one hour. The sea will provide an

almost unlimited supply of hydrogen, and it can be simple and cheap to extract.
Scientists all over the world are now trying to harness this energy by a process
similar to one that occurs on the surface of the sun. This is called continuous

thermonuclear fusion. While a modern coal fired power station needs 10
trainloads of coal a day, a thermonuclear station could operate for a day on the
hydrogen from one single truckload of water.

Thermonuclear fusion involves causing hydrogen atoms to rush together and
release vast amounts of energy. The process is much more powerful than the

energy created by nuclear fission, which involves breaking uranium atoms apart.
Nuclear fission was used in the first atom bombs. The fusion has already been
achieved to a degree in the hydrogen bomb. But H-bombs, like the sun, are an

example of uncontrolled thermonuclear fusion. What the scientists are seeking is
a way to harness the energy safely for peaceful purposes.

A major problem is hydrogen nuclei do not fuse readily, but if the temperature
of their surroundings is increased sufficiently, they rush together and their fusion

takes place. However raising the temperature is not easy. About 212 million
degrees Fahrenheit is required and has to be maintained for about one second to
start the reaction. Once the hydrogen atoms fuse, the reaction has to be

contained so that the energy will not escape and be wasted.

So far, nuclear scientists have been unable to maintain the reaction for more

than a second, but they are confident that the problems can be overcome and that
eventually a thermonuclear power station will begin operating .

Main Idea

What is the main idea of this story?

a. some of the benefits of and obstacles in achieving thermonuclear fusion
b. how water can easily be used as a power source
c. how thermonuclear fusion is achieved

d. the disadvantages of thermonuclear fusion

54_Reading Success B 7