No, nuclear fusion cannot destroy the Earth in the way that nuclear fission, the process used in atomic bombs and nuclear reactors, has the potential to do. Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the Sun and other stars, and scientists are working on harnessing this process for practical energy production on Earth.
In nuclear fusion, two light atomic nuclei, typically isotopes of hydrogen, combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. Unlike nuclear fission, which involves the splitting of heavy atomic nuclei, nuclear fusion releases energy by combining light atomic nuclei.
While nuclear fusion has immense energy potential, there are several safety features built into proposed fusion reactors. First, fusion reactions require specific conditions of temperature and pressure to sustain the process. If these conditions are not maintained, the fusion reaction ceases. In case of an unexpected shutdown, the fusion process would simply stop, and there would be no runaway chain reactions or catastrophic events.
Furthermore, fusion reactors produce relatively small amounts of fuel at any given time, minimizing the risks associated with large fuel stockpiles and the potential for nuclear proliferation. Fusion reactors also do not produce long-lived radioactive waste as in the case of fission reactors, reducing concerns about radioactive contamination.
That being said, the development of practical and commercially viable fusion power is still a significant scientific and engineering challenge. While there are certain technical and safety considerations to be addressed, the risks associated with nuclear fusion are primarily related to the potential for accidents, such as the release of radioactive materials or disruptions in the magnetic containment of the plasma. Scientists and engineers are actively working to mitigate these risks and ensure the safe implementation of fusion energy technologies.