# Describe the process of nuclear fusion and explain why it requires extremely high temperatures to occur.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 9.4 Nuclear fission and fusion · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Nuclear fusion is the joining/combining of two light nuclei to form a larger/heavier nucleus
2. Energy is released during nuclear fusion
3. High temperatures are needed because nuclei are positively charged and repel each other
4. High temperatures give the nuclei enough kinetic energy to overcome this repulsion and get close enough to fuse

## Key terms

- [nuclear fusion](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/nuclear-fusion)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-the-process-of-nuclear-fusion-113dbb8c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.