magnetic confinement - drawbacks

[kev]

in particle physics, atoms and atomic nuclei have a spin that aligns
with a local magnetic field. Does this not reduce the combination of
angles at which nuclei can collide in a fusion reaction, possibly
ensuring that the nuclei constituents touch at the same spins?

[greg]

Post by kev
in particle physics, atoms and atomic nuclei have a spin that aligns
with a local magnetic field. Does this not reduce the combination of
angles at which nuclei can collide in a fusion reaction, possibly
ensuring that the nuclei constituents touch at the same spins?

I doubt it. There's no necessary relationship between the
alignment of a particle's spin and its direction of motion.
Also, at the energies involved, I expect that any tendency
to align with the magnetic field would be pretty negligible.

[kev]

Post by greg

Post by kev
in particle physics, atoms and atomic nuclei have a spin that aligns
with a local magnetic field. Does this not reduce the combination of
angles at which nuclei can collide in a fusion reaction, possibly
ensuring that the nuclei constituents touch at the same spins?

I doubt it. There's no necessary relationship between the
alignment of a particle's spin and its direction of motion.
Also, at the energies involved, I expect that any tendency
to align with the magnetic field would be pretty negligible.
--
Greg

Thanks.