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Physics

Fusion processes like combining two deuterium nuclei to form a He nucleus are impossible at ordinary temperatures and pressures. The reason is:

(i) Nuclear forces are short range.

(ii) Original nuclei must first break before combining with other nuclei.

(iii) Nuclei is negatively charged.

(iv) Nuclei is positively charged.

  1. only (i)
  2. (i) and (ii)
  3. (ii) and (iv)
  4. (i) and (iv)

Radioactivity

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Answer

(i) and (iv)

Reason — Fusion between nuclei requires them to come extremely close so that the strong nuclear force, which is short-ranged, can act.

However, nuclei are positively charged, so they repel each other due to electrostatic force.

At ordinary temperatures and pressures, the particles do not have enough kinetic energy to overcome this repulsion and get close enough for fusion.

Therefore, both the short range of nuclear forces and the positive charge of nuclei make fusion difficult under normal conditions.

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