What is the main problem in achieving fusion reactions?

Working with Intense Pressure and Heat

Fusion reactions are a potential source of limitless clean energy. However, one of the main challenges in achieving fusion reactions is the need to work with intense pressure and heat. This is because in order to fuse two hydrogen nuclei together to create helium isotopes, the atoms need to overcome the strong repulsive forces between their positively charged nuclei.

The intense pressure is required to bring the nuclei close enough together for the strong nuclear force to overcome the electrostatic repulsion. Additionally, the high temperatures are necessary to provide the nuclei with enough kinetic energy to overcome the Coulomb barrier and initiate the fusion reaction.

Scientists and engineers working on fusion research face the daunting task of designing and constructing facilities that can generate and contain the extreme conditions of pressure and heat required for fusion to occur. These facilities, such as tokamaks or laser fusion chambers, must be carefully engineered to withstand the intense environment and facilitate the fusion reactions.