Question

why do nuclear power plants use fission instead of fusion?
scientists have not yet gotten a fusion reaction to happen on earth.
per gram of fuel, fission releases more energy than fusion.
the energy from fusion cannot yet be converted to electricity.
fusion requires conditions that use too much energy to maintain.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• Option 1: Scientists have achieved fusion reactions (e.g., in experimental setups like tokamaks), so this is incorrect.
• Option 2: Per gram of fuel, fusion releases more energy than fission, so this is wrong.
• Option 3: Energy from fusion can be potentially converted to electricity, and this is not the main reason for not using fusion in power plants now.
• Option 4: Fusion requires extremely high temperature and pressure (like in the sun), and maintaining such conditions on Earth currently consumes too much energy, making it unfeasible for power plants. So this option is correct.

Answer:

D. Fusion requires conditions that use too much energy to maintain.