' Wrote:So wait, do fusion reactions create electricity in addition to the water from the combination of hydrogen and oxygen atoms?
Typical stellar fusion reactions in stars the size of our sun and smaller follow the proton-proton chain for much of their lifecycle.
H + H → D + e+ + ν(e) + 0.42 MeV
H is hydrogen(one proton), D is deuterium (a proton and a neutron), e+ is a positron and v(e) is a neutrino (the product of a proton turning into a neutron.
e− + e+ → 2 γ + 1.02 MeV
The positron finds an electron and they annihilate to produce two gamma rays and energy.
D + H → He(3) + γ + 5.49 MeV
Next the D from the first reaction will fuse with H to produce He(3) (two protons one neutron) a gamma and more energy. From this point forward several branches could be followed depending on the temperature. But all the branches essentially lead to producing He(4) (two protons and two neutrons).
The CNO cycle (Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen) dominates stars heavier than our sun and converts H into C, N and O. This is the process that produces these essential elements for the Universe.
So...no water in a Nuclear Reaction b/c, as the name suggests, it is a reaction involving the nucleus. The production of water from H and O is a result of a chemical reaction.
EDIT: Fusion reactions can produce electricity by using the heat produced to run a steam turbine.
