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What stands between a fusion reaction and electricity at a socket?

A fusion experiment can release more energy than the laser delivers to its target without powering a single home. The answer changes when the energy account includes the equipment around the reaction and the job of producing electricity.

5–7 min

Questions you could explore

  • Where is the boundary around a reported energy gain?
  • What would have to work repeatedly in a power station?

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How can a heat pump deliver more heat than its electricity input?

Energy4–5 minA heating device seems to promise something impossible when its heat output exceeds the electricity it uses. A heat pump's energy account includes another input: heat moved from its surroundings.

Energy

How does a photovoltaic cell turn light into electricity?

A solar cell can generate electricity without a turbine or other moving machinery. Light interacting with a semiconductor starts the process, but separating and collecting the resulting charges is what makes electrical output possible.

4–5 min

How does a photovoltaic cell turn light into electricity?

Energy4–5 minA solar cell can generate electricity without a turbine or other moving machinery. Light interacting with a semiconductor starts the process, but separating and collecting the resulting charges is what makes electrical output possible.

How does a wind turbine turn moving air into electricity?

Energy3–5 minA turbine's blades are only the visible beginning of the journey from wind to electricity. Their rotation drives a generator, though the machinery connecting those parts differs between turbine designs.

What stands between a fusion reaction and electricity at a socket? | Speech Topic | speaking.app