Tokamak

Definition

A tokamak is a device used to confine plasma with magnetic fields in order to achieve controlled nuclear fusion. It utilizes a combination of toroidal (doughnut-shaped) geometry and magnetic confinement to stabilize high-temperature plasmas necessary for fusion reactions, making it one of the leading technologies in the quest for practical fusion energy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The tokamak design was first developed in the 1950s by Soviet physicists Igor Tamm and Andrei Sakharov, making it one of the oldest and most researched types of fusion reactors.
2. Inside a tokamak, plasma is heated to temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius, which is necessary for overcoming the electrostatic repulsion between nuclei for fusion to occur.
3. The magnetic field in a tokamak is produced by external coils and an induced current within the plasma itself, creating a stable confinement mechanism that reduces turbulence.
4. Tokamaks are often characterized by their use of a toroidal chamber, which allows for a closed-loop containment of plasma, significantly reducing losses and improving confinement times.
5. International collaborative projects like ITER aim to demonstrate the feasibility of tokamak technology as a viable source of fusion energy, potentially revolutionizing global energy production.

Review Questions

• How does the design of a tokamak facilitate the confinement and stabilization of plasma for nuclear fusion?
  • The design of a tokamak features a toroidal shape that allows magnetic fields to encircle the plasma, providing stability and reducing turbulence. By generating strong magnetic fields using external coils and inducing currents within the plasma, the tokamak effectively confines high-temperature plasma while preventing it from coming into contact with the reactor walls. This combination is critical for maintaining the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion to occur.
• Evaluate the advantages and challenges associated with using tokamaks as a method for achieving controlled nuclear fusion compared to other fusion reactor designs.
  • Tokamaks offer several advantages, including their established technology base and extensive research history that have led to significant advances in plasma physics. However, challenges remain, such as maintaining stable plasma confinement at high temperatures and efficiently converting fusion energy into usable power. Other designs like stellarators also attempt to achieve magnetic confinement but may offer different benefits or drawbacks in terms of complexity and stability. Evaluating these factors helps determine the most promising approach for future fusion reactors.
• Assess the potential impact of successful tokamak development on global energy production and sustainability efforts.
  • If tokamak technology can achieve practical nuclear fusion, it could revolutionize global energy production by providing a nearly limitless, clean energy source without the harmful emissions associated with fossil fuels. Successful implementation could significantly reduce dependence on finite resources and minimize environmental impacts, aligning with sustainability efforts worldwide. The transition to fusion energy could reshape energy infrastructure and economics, fostering innovations that promote a sustainable future.

Related terms

Plasma: A state of matter consisting of ionized gas, which is crucial for nuclear fusion as it allows for the necessary conditions for fusion reactions to occur.

Magnetic Confinement: A technique that uses magnetic fields to contain and control plasma, preventing it from coming into contact with the reactor walls.

Fusion Energy: Energy released during the process of fusion, where light atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, a process that powers stars and has potential for sustainable energy on Earth.