An experimental fusion reactor uses deuterium-tritium fuel. Which effect dominates when the plasma's ion temperature increases, assuming confinement time remains constant?

💡 Explanation

Increased plasma ion temperature directly increases the kinetic energy of the ions, thereby increasing the probability and rate of fusion reactions; this enhances energy production because the fusion power scales with the square of the density and strongly with temperature. Therefore, energy production increases, rather than decreases, and this dominates over increased radiation losses at relevant temperatures.

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