Nuclear fusion was the subject of one of the greatest scientific embarrassments
of modern times when investigators at the University of Utah in 1989 announced that
they had accomplished so-called cold fusion of deuterium during the electrolysis of
deuterium oxide (heavy water). This resulted in an astonishing flurry of activity as
scientists throughout the world sought to repeat the results, whereas others ridiculed
the idea. Unfortunately, for the attainment of a cheap and abundant source of energy,
the skeptics were right, and the whole story of cold fusion stands as a lesson in the
(temporary) triumph of wishful technological thinking over scientific good sense.
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
- The tail of a firefly glows, although it is not hot. Explain the kind of energy
transformation that is most likely involved in the firefly’s producing light. - What is the standard unit of energy? What unit did it replace? What is the relationship
between these two units? - Which law states that energy is neither created nor destroyed?
- What is the special significance of 1,340 watts?
- Despite the unfavorable status of controlled thermonuclear fusion as an energy
source discussed at the end of this chapter, how can the statement be justified that
“thermonuclear fusion is responsible for most of the energy used in the world
today?” - How is energy carried through empty space?
- What happens to the energy of electromagnetic radiation as the wavelength becomes
shorter? - What is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength (A) just shorter and (B) just
longer than that of visible light called? - What are photochemical reactions?
- What is the reaction in nature by which solar energy is converted to chemical
energy? - Given that the energies of H-H, O=O, and O-H bonds are 432, 494, and 459 kJ/mol,
respectively, calculate the heat energy involved when 2 moles of H 2 , react with 1
mole of O 2 to produce 2 moles of H 2 O. - Given that the energies of H-H, N≡N, and N-H bonds are 432, 942, and 386 kJ/
mol, respectively, calculate the heat energy involved when 1 mole of N 2 undergoes
the reaction N 2 + 3H 2 → 2NH 3. To which bond may this low energy release be
attributed? - In what respects is wind both one of the oldest, as well as one of the newest, sources
of energy?
158 Green Chemistry, 2nd ed