Introduction
Nuclear weapons work through reactions in the nuclei (cores) of atoms. They can be divided into two groups: fission weapons and thermonuclear weapons. Fission weapons are also called atomic bombs. Thermonuclear weapons are also called hydrogen bombs or fusion weapons. Thermonuclear weapons are generally far more powerful than fission weapons.
Hydrogen Bombs
The hydrogen bomb (mankind's most destructive weapon -also known as the
H-Bomb or thermonuclear bomb) works on the principle of nuclear fusion, where
isotopes of hydrogen (namely Deuterium and tritium) combine or fuse under
extremely high temperatures to form helium.The conversion of mass into energy
in the hydrogen bomb is actually an application of Albert Einstein's famous
formula E = mc2. As mentioned
before, Hydrogen nuclei fuse only under extremely high temperatures,
accordingly, the hydrogen bomb requires tremendous heat in order to detonate.
Such heat is attained by the explosion of an atomic bomb, i.e: it takes an
atomic bomb just to initiate the process of fusion. One can now imagine the
great explosive -and destructive- power of this bomb. "A thermonuclear
explosion produces blast, light, heat and varying amounts of fallout." The
blast produces concussive force in the form of a shock wave that radiates at
supersonic speeds to destroy buildings several miles away from the point of the
explosion. The light emitted is so intense that it can cause permanent
blindness to those who gaze at it from a distance of dozens of miles. The heat,
along with the light, may ignite an entire firestorm. The radioactive fallout
lasts for long intervals, contaminating air, water and soil. "The explosive
power of hydrogen bombs is frequently expressed in megatons, each unit of which
equals the explosive force of 1,000,000 tons of TNT."
Facts: "Edward Teller and other
American scientists developed the first hydrogen bomb, which was tested at
Enewetak atoll on Nov. 1, 1952. The U.S.S.R. first tested a hydrogen bomb on
Aug. 12, 1953, followed by the United Kingdom in May 1957, China (1967), and
France (1968). During the late 1980s there were some 40,000 thermonuclear
devices stored in the arsenals of the world's nuclear-armed nations. This
number declined during the 1990s. The massive destructive threat of these
weapons has been a principle concern of the world's populace and of its
statesman since the 1950s."
H-Bomb or thermonuclear bomb) works on the principle of nuclear fusion, where
isotopes of hydrogen (namely Deuterium and tritium) combine or fuse under
extremely high temperatures to form helium.The conversion of mass into energy
in the hydrogen bomb is actually an application of Albert Einstein's famous
formula E = mc2. As mentioned
before, Hydrogen nuclei fuse only under extremely high temperatures,
accordingly, the hydrogen bomb requires tremendous heat in order to detonate.
Such heat is attained by the explosion of an atomic bomb, i.e: it takes an
atomic bomb just to initiate the process of fusion. One can now imagine the
great explosive -and destructive- power of this bomb. "A thermonuclear
explosion produces blast, light, heat and varying amounts of fallout." The
blast produces concussive force in the form of a shock wave that radiates at
supersonic speeds to destroy buildings several miles away from the point of the
explosion. The light emitted is so intense that it can cause permanent
blindness to those who gaze at it from a distance of dozens of miles. The heat,
along with the light, may ignite an entire firestorm. The radioactive fallout
lasts for long intervals, contaminating air, water and soil. "The explosive
power of hydrogen bombs is frequently expressed in megatons, each unit of which
equals the explosive force of 1,000,000 tons of TNT."
Facts: "Edward Teller and other
American scientists developed the first hydrogen bomb, which was tested at
Enewetak atoll on Nov. 1, 1952. The U.S.S.R. first tested a hydrogen bomb on
Aug. 12, 1953, followed by the United Kingdom in May 1957, China (1967), and
France (1968). During the late 1980s there were some 40,000 thermonuclear
devices stored in the arsenals of the world's nuclear-armed nations. This
number declined during the 1990s. The massive destructive threat of these
weapons has been a principle concern of the world's populace and of its
statesman since the 1950s."