Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
4. Examine the potential nuclear fusion energy to be a source of clean-energy in the near future. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India.
Why the question:
U.S. researchers announced a historic nuclear fusion breakthrough on Tuesday that could pave the way for alternative clean energy sources. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) said an experiment it conducted this month “produced more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive it”.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the scope and limiting factors in the growth of nuclear fusion energy.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining the nuclear fusion.
Body:
First, write about the process of nuclear fusion in brief.
Next, mention about the huge potential for growth, emission-free nature and consistent nature of nuclear energy production in contrast with wind and solar energy.
Next, write about the limitations of the above – technological constraints, lack of expertise, land requirement, man power, financing etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
