(a) Use of hydrogen fusion to supply energy is a dream that may be realized in the next century. Fusion would be a relatively clean and almost limitless supply of energy, as can be seen from Table 7.1. To illustrate this, calculate how many years the present energy needs of the world could be supplied by one millionth of the oceans’ hydrogen fusion energy.

(b) How does this time compare with historically significant events, such as the duration of stable economic systems?

Data given in Table 7.1

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Big Bang Object/phenomenon Energy released in a supernova Fusion of all the hydrogen in Earth's oceans Annual world energy use Large fusion bomb (9 megaton) 1 kg hydrogen (fusion to helium) 1 kg uranium (nuclear fission) Hiroshima-size fission bomb (10 kiloton) 90,000-metric ton aircraft carrier at 30 knots 1 barrel crude oil 1 ton TNT Energy in joules 1068 1044 1034 4x1020 3.8×10¹6 6.4×10¹4 8.0x10¹3 4.2x1013 1.1×1010 5.9x10⁹ 4.2×10⁹