Presentation about Nuclear Fusion

[Ben Kerman]

I have to do a presentation about nuclear fusion in my 9th grade physics class. I'm probably the only one in my class who has ever heard more than the term "nuclear fusion" about my topic, that includes the two girls i'm in a group with (that of course means I have to make all the preparations by myself ).

The presentation has to be split into three parts: The basic concept of fusion, stellar fusion and fusion reactors. The presentation is just an end-of-the-school-year grade check by our (pretty incompetent) teacher, the class isn't interested in the topic.

So, has anybody got an easy explanation of those three topics that the average 14-15 year old can understand and I can base my presentation on?

I didn't have much time to write this, hope somebody can help me anyway.

[nyrath]

This might help a little

http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/fusionfuel.php

[Jones-250]

Do not forget to mention ITER, the project is well under way now and leaving it without a proper mention would be quite a cardinal error.

[bsalis]

You might want to look at this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_binding_energy

Possibly explain the differences between nuclear fission and fusion using the above. Stars obviously use fusion... possibly can cover a bit about them too.

As an interesting tidbit you could pitch to the class as a question (then answer/explain yourself). Is if fusion into elements lighter than Iron release energy, and fusion of elements into elements heavier than Iron must consume energy to happen. Where did all the elements heavier than Iron on Earth come from?

[Boosterspice]

I wish you luck! I have had the same experience multiple times, but if you find it interesting, it should not be a problem