


Fusion
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 36-54 million
fahrenheit. 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.
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.
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 God's endless power and His
sovereignty over each particle (atom) in the universe and
the sub-atomic particles inside this particle (protons, neutrons…).
God'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. (Qur'an, 10:61)
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