Nuclear fusion,
just the contrary of fission, is the process
of bringing together two light nuclei to form
a heavier nucleus and using the bonding energy
thus released. However, to achieve this in a
controlled fashion is very difficult. This is
because nuclei carry positive electrical charges
and repel each other very strongly if forced
to come together. Therefore, a force strong
enough to overcome the repulsive force between
them must be used to make them fuse. This required
kinetic energy is equivalent to a temperature
of 20-30 million degrees.
This is an
extraordinarily high temperature and no solid
material used to contain the particles that
will be involved in a fusion reaction can tolerate
this temperature. That is, there is no mechanism
on earth that is able to realise this fusion
except the heat of the atomic bomb.
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The nuclear accident that occurred in
the Chernobyl reactor in Russia in 1986
had permanent effects on human beings
and all other animate things. Scientists
say these effects will last another
30-40 years. Measures to prevent nuclear
leaks have not been helpful. A study
is underway for the elimination of the
harmful effects of radiation.
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Fusion reactions
take place in the sun all the time. The heat
and light coming from the sun is the result
of hydrogen being fused into helium and energy
being released in place of the matter lost during
this conversion. Each second, the sun converts
564 million tons of hydrogen to 560 million
tons of helium. The remaining 4 million tons
of matter is converted into energy. This tremendous
event producing the solar energy that is extremely
vital for life on our planet, has continued
for millions of years without pause. This may
bring to our minds such a question: If such
a great amount of matter as 4 million tons is
lost in the sun each second, when will the sun
be fully consumed?
The sun loses
4 million tons of matter per second, 240 million
tons per minute. If we assume that the sun has
been producing energy at this rate for 3 billion
years, the mass it has lost during this period
would be 400,000 million times million tons,
which is equal to one 5,000th of the current
total mass of the sun. This amount is like one
gram of sand being lost out of a 5 kilogram
rock in 3 billion years. As this makes clear,
the mass of the sun is so enormous that a very
long time has to pass before it is finished.
Man has only
discovered the composition of the sun and the
events taking place inside it this century.
Earlier, no one ever knew about phenomena such
as nuclear explosions, fission or fusion. Nobody
knew how the sun produced energy. Yet, while
man was unaware of all these, the sun always
continued to be the energy source of the earth
and life, for millions of years with this incredible
mechanism.
Hundreds
of thousands of people lost their lives
in a few seconds through the liberation
of the enormous power hidden in the
nucleus of the atom. |
Now, the really curious
thing is that our earth has been placed at such
an exact distance from the sun - a source of energy
possessing an enormous mass - that it is neither
exposed to its scorching, destructive power, nor
deprived of the useful energy it provides. In
the same way, the sun, which possesses such enormous
power and energy, is created at the distance,
with the power and the size which are perfect
for all life on earth, and foremost, man.
This gigantic mass and the incredible nuclear
reactions occurring in it have been carrying on
their activities for millions of years in perfect
harmony with the earth and in the most controlled
manner. To understand what an extraordinary, controlled
and balanced system this is, it is good enough
to remember that man is incapable of controlling
even one simple nuclear power plant he has established.
No scientist, no technological equipment was able
to prevent the nuclear accident that occurred
in the Chernobyl reactor in Russia in 1986. It
is said that the impact of this nuclear accident
will endure for 30-40 years. Although scientists
have covered around the contaminated sections
of the reactor with enormously thick concrete
to prevent further damage, it was later reported
that there were leaks from the concrete. Let alone
nuclear explosions, even nuclear leaks are extremely
dangerous for human life, and science is helpless
against this threat.
At this point, we stand facing Allah's endless
power and His sovereignty over each particle (atom)
in the universe and the sub-atomic particles inside
this particle (protons, neutrons…). Allah's power
and sovereignty over the beings He creates are
stated in a verse as follows:
You do not engage in any matter or recite any
of the Qur'an or do any action without Our witnessing
you while you are occupied with it. Not even the
smallest speck eludes your Lord, either on earth
or in heaven. Nor is there anything smaller than
that, or larger, which is not in a Clear Book.
(Surah Yunus: 61)
