Atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb and neutron bomb
The hydrogen, atomic and neutron bombs are mostly thermonuclear weapons that involves or two stages of development, and their explosive energy is derived from the combination of nuclear and fission or fusion power (Union of concerned scientists, 1).
For the atomic bomb nuclear fission, the nuclei of the atom is used in its development. The nuclei of an atom normally has two different particles; protons which are positively charged particles and neutrons that are not electrically charge. It is possible for nuclei of various radioactive elements to split – fission – if they are bombarded with neutrons that are fast moving. The result of the fission are two nuclei that are light, one or more neutrons that are free and energy that is produced in the form of light or heat. Some radioactive elements’ isotopes – this refers to the same element varying with distinct numbers of neutrons present in the nucleus – such as uranium-235 or plutonium- 239 can lead to production of two neutrons after the fission. These resulting neutrons then come into collision with the nuclei that are nearby, making them to release two additional neutrons. Each of these fission reactions makes the number of neutrons and energy released to double, leading to a reaction chain. After a few microseconds, the reaction chain can cause an explosion that is comparable to large quantity- in thousands – loads of TNT. The out-put of atomic bombs can be boosted significantly by adding a small amount of fusion fuel inside the hollow sphere, which normally consist of tritium and deuterium, hydrogen’s two heavy isotopes(Union of concerned scientists, 1).
On the other hand, hydrogen (thermonuclear) bombs reactions can cause much larger explosion than in fission bombs. In fact, the first explosion on hydrogen test produced about 10 megatons. The destructive energy production by these weapons result from three distinct but almost simultaneous explosions. The first is chemical explosives detonation and these explosives surround plutonium-329 made hollow sphere. The force caused by the explosive is directed inward and compresses the pit thus making its atoms to be closer together. When the density of plutonium pit increases to amount large enough to sustain a chain of fission reaction, neutrons are injected into the hollow sphere by a neutron generator so that the chain reaction can be initiated, and this initial process is called nuclear primary. This process produces enough temperatures and pressure for fusion reactions ignition in the next stage where the third explosion is produced. The chemical reaction involves hydrogen isotopes that undergo fusion. A fission primary, on its own is not enough because the platinum pit can burst before much fission of platinum-239. To decrease the plutonium, boosting of fission reaction can be done in order to a higher percentage of plutonium fissions (Union of concerned scientists, 1). For the boosted primaries is put in the centre of the pit. This hydrogen consist of tritium and deuterium isotopes, with the former having one neutron and the latter two neutrons. As is taking place, sufficient heat to make the fusion of hydrogen gas is produced, and an explosion of high-energy neutrons is released that in turn lead to inducing of more fissions inside the pit. The fusion fuel is in the form of lithium deuteride. A fission plug is found inside the fusion fuel layer, and this spark plug consists of uranium-235 or plutonium. As the fusion fuel is compressed by the primary explosion from outside, the material for spark plug fissions, and this heat the fuel from inside assisting the fusion reactions. Due to release of neutrons by fusion reactions, a layer of uranium surrounding the fusion fuel fissions, and this contribute to larger amount of explosion of the hydrogen bomb. The problem with this bomb is how to get it going. The hydrogen, tritium and deuterium are only suitable if, in a way, could be heated enough and kept very hot (Stevens, 2).
Neutron bomb development is usually aimed at releasing lethal force in the form of radiation that is very deadly rather than heat energy or a blast. It is a thermonuclear explosive that is low yielding, producing about a kiloton of explosion and which subjects the targeted area to a high degree of ionizing radiation, coming from high energy gamma rays and neutrons (William, 54). Therefore, a neutron bomb causes blast and heat whose intensity is the same as that obtained from the bombs developed from pure fissions, and also cause threat to life by ionizing radiation at a greater range. Thus explosion caused by neutron bomb releases three types of energy; heat, blast and ionizing energy. The ionizing radiation is released soon after gamma rays and neutrons, and the radiation that is remaining spreads out as radioisotopes’ fallout which then emit alpha, gamma rays and beta particles. It usually consist of a small amount of uranium or plutonium whose ignition is done by a conventional explosive, which operates as a trigger for starting the fusion explosion inside a capsule that have some grams of deuterium and tritium (William,56).
In conclusion, thermonuclear bombs – hydrogen and neutron bombs – have more powerful effects than atomic bombs. The difference in chemical reactions starts at the atomic level, with atomic bombs relying on fission while thermonuclear bombs rely on fusion to produce the explosive energy.
Works cited
Union of concerned scientists .Nuclear Weapons: How They Work. (2009). 1-2 .Available at: http://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/legacy/assets/documents/nwgs/nuclearweaponshowtheyworkfinal.pdf
Charles, Stevens. What Are A-Bombs vs. Thermonuclear Weapons? 2011. 1-2
Laurence, William L. "The Neutron Bomb." Saturday Evening Post 235.18 (1962): 52-56. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 June 2016. Available at: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=5aac28bf-6b1f-4c34-a39e-36cb7cb181e7%40sessionmgr104&vid=0&hid=120
