Final answer:
Scientists are exploring fusion technology for its potential to provide a safe and abundant energy source, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly than fission. However, they still face significant challenges in achieving stable and economically viable fusion power plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fusion technology is a promising yet challenging field aiming to replicate the Sun's energy production on Earth. While fusion offers numerous advantages over fission, such as using an abundant fuel supply and producing safe byproducts, it also presents significant drawbacks, including the difficulties in achieving stable plasmas and economic competitiveness.Fusion reactions are more energy-efficient than fission, releasing 3 to 4 times more energy per gram of fuel, and utilize hydrogen or deuterium, which are plentiful in Earth's water sources.
Additionally, fusion reactions do not yield significant radioactive waste, posing less hazard to living systems and the environment.However, fusion technology has not yet been proven viable for commercial electricity production, and the research has been ongoing for 70 years. The complexity of maintaining stable conditions for fusion, as well as the economic feasibility when compared to other renewable energy sources, remains a significant challenge.