核融合

• Reading: かくゆうごう
• Romaji: kakuyugo
• Kanji breakdown: 核 (kaku) — nucleus, core; 融 (yu) — to melt, to dissolve; 合 (go) — to join, to combine
• Pronunciation: /ka.kɯ.jɯː.ɡoː/

Meaning

Nuclear fusion; the merging of light atomic nuclei to form heavier ones, releasing enormous amounts of energy. The process powering stars.

A compound of 核 (nucleus) and 融合 (fusion, merging). Nuclear fusion is the reaction that powers the sun and other stars, and is the basis of hydrogen bombs (水素爆弾). As a potential clean energy source, 核融合炉 (fusion reactors) are a major focus of international research, including ITER (国際熱核融合実験炉). In Japanese scientific and policy discourse, 核融合発電 (fusion power generation) is discussed as a long-term energy solution, contrasted with the current reliance on 核分裂 (fission) reactors.

Examples

1. 太陽は核融合によって水素をヘリウムに変換し、莫大なエネルギーを放出している。 The sun converts hydrogen into helium through nuclear fusion, releasing vast amounts of energy.
2. 核融合炉の実用化が実現すれば、人類のエネルギー問題を根本的に解決できる可能性がある。 If fusion reactors become commercially viable, there is a possibility of fundamentally resolving humanity's energy problems.
3. 核融合は核分裂と異なり、長期的な放射性廃棄物をほとんど生じない点が利点だ。 Unlike nuclear fission, nuclear fusion has the advantage of producing almost no long-lived radioactive waste.

Usage Guide

Context: nuclear physics, energy policy, astrophysics, engineering

Tone: technical, neutral

Origin & History

Modern scientific compound: 核 (kaku) — nucleus + 融合 (yugo) — fusion, merging. 融合 combines 融 (to melt, to dissolve) and 合 (to join, to combine). Coined to translate 'nuclear fusion' in mid-20th century Japanese physics vocabulary.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Educated