Why are very high temperatures and pressures required for fusion to occur? to generate the neutrons that are needed to break the nuclei o to overcome the repulsion between the protons in the nuclei that join to maintain the proper conditions to keep the chain reaction going to keep the uranium fuel separate from the control rods

the old alchemists made significant contributions to science even though there starting premises were off a bit. their conclusions after failure would steer them into better directions for investigation. science is no more than close observation and the initial mistakes result in rethinking and retrying experiments.

c-14 is carbon-14, or radiocarbon.   it is a radioactive isotope of carbon with an atomic nucleus containing 6 protons and 8 neutrons.