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Nuclear weapons' yield is derived primarily from fission.
Thermonuclear weapon's yield is derived mainly from fusion.
Thermonuclear weapons are multistage weapons -- x-rays from a nuclear primary trigger are used to trigger ablation in the pusher of the secondary to compress it, which is responsible for the fusion reaction.
Nuclear weapons rely on nuclear fission to release energy, while thermonuclear weapons (hydrogen bombs) use both nuclear fusion and fission reactions to generate a much more powerful explosion. Thermonuclear weapons are considered more destructive and have the capability to produce significantly larger explosions than traditional nuclear weapons.
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Which nuclear weapons do the most damage?
Thermonuclear weapons, also known as hydrogen bombs, are the most powerful and destructive nuclear weapons. They rely on a two-stage process involving the fusion of isotopes of hydrogen to release immense amounts of energy. These weapons can produce explosions with yields in the megaton range, causing catastrophic damage over a wide area.
What is one difference between nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons?
One key difference is the purpose: nuclear reactors are used to generate electricity through controlled nuclear fission, while nuclear weapons harness the energy from uncontrolled nuclear fission or fusion to create a massive explosion. Additionally, nuclear reactors are subject to strict regulations and oversight to ensure safety and prevent misuse, while nuclear weapons are designed for destructive purposes.
Does India have Nuclear Weapons?
Yes, India is known to possess nuclear weapons. The country conducted its first nuclear tests in 1974 and again in 1998, making it a nuclear-armed state. India has a declared policy of credible minimum deterrence.
What are the criteria for having nuclear weapons?
The criteria for possessing nuclear weapons typically involve the country being recognized as a nuclear-weapon state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), having the technological capabilities to develop and maintain nuclear weapons, and having the political will to maintain a nuclear arsenal. However, possessing nuclear weapons is subject to international agreements and treaties, and there are restrictions and obligations associated with their possession.
Is China a Nuclear free zone?
No, China is not a nuclear-free zone. China possesses nuclear weapons and is one of the five recognized nuclear-weapon states under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
What is thermonuclear warfare?
Thermonuclear warfare is the use of nuclear weapons in war, either tactically or strategically. Although the term "thermonuclear" technically applies only to the process of fusion, the term is loosely applied to conflict involving fission weapons, fusion weapons, or both (informal synonyms are "atomic war" or "nuclear war").
What is the difference between nuclear weapons and normal weapons?
energy release aka yield
Who developed the term 'Thermonuclear war' and how does it differ from conventional nuclear war?
"Thermonuclear" is a term derived from the science of physics, and was not developed by any one person, to describe a type of weapon and the type of war the use of such a weapon would create. All the ready-to-fire nuclear weapons in the world today are thermonuclear weapons -- there is no difference.Therefore the type of 'war' their use would create would be no different.Also, there is no such thing as a 'conventional nuclear war'; the term makes no sense whatsoever. Conventionalmeans non-nuclear conflict (tanks, planes, men, etc.), nuclear means use of nuclear weapons. The moment a conventional war escalates to the use of nuclear weapons, it ceases to be conventional.So remember, thermonuclear war is the same as nuclear war; they do not differ.
Why are thermonuclear bombs are more disastrous than nuclear bombs?
Nuclear bombs use nuclear fission of some heavy element, usually uranium or plutonium. Thermonuclear bombs use the detonation of a fission bomb to ignite the fusion of hydrogen. Such weapons are more powerful than ordinary nuclear weapons because nuclear fusion releases more energy than nuclear fission, and because the process of fusion itself can be used to ignite more fission.
How did the western Europe use uranium?
Uranium is used as nuclear fuel in nuclear reactor.France and United Kingdom use also uranium for nuclear weapons (but today bombs are generally with plutonium or thermonuclear).
Is there a difference between an atomic bomb and a nuclear bomb?
There isn't much difference in these terms. Both refer to nuclear weapons, and they are general terms that can pretty much be used interchangeably.
What are some famous implode systems?
Some famous implode systems include but are not limited to nuclear weapon design, pure fission weapons, boosted fission weapons, two-stage thermonuclear weapons and pure fusion weapons to name some.
How do nuclear weapons differ from other weapons?
Lots more power per pound, and radioactive waste products. Most conventional weapons use chemical reactions to release energy and cause explosions. Such weapons would include those that use gun power, TNT, plastic explosives, etc. With a nuclear weapon, large amounts of energy are released through a nuclear fission (atomic bomb) or the fusion reaction between isotopes of hydrogen (thermonuclear bomb).
What is thermonuclear?
Nuclear reactions initiated by, and/or depending on heat. As a generic term, thermonuclear is an adjective describing atomic processes involving heat. This definition is necessarily vague, so in practical terms, the word thermonuclear applies specifically to weapons and power generation. Thermonuclear weapons use the heat generated in an initial nuclear fission reaction to cause a chain reaction of further fission and fusion reactions, releasing energy. Thermonuclear fusion is the proposed method for achieving nuclear fusion for power generation. The very high temperature, combined with some form of containment, causes the atomic nuclei to fuse together, releasing energy. Nuclear fusion requires a minimum level of kinetic energy in each collision before the electrostatic repulsion of nuclei is overcome, permitting them to fuse.
What is the difference between a atomic submarine and a nuclear submarine?
Nothing but the terminology. "Atomic" was the term used in the early days of nuclear weapons and nuclear power. "Nuclear" (describing the fission process of nuclear power and nuclear weapons) became the term when fusion bombs became reality, as Atomic can refer to both fission and fusion processes.
What are the two kinds of nuclear weapons?
I could give you a few answers Implosion design Gun-type design Or I could also say Nuclear Weapon Thermonuclear Weapon aka Atomic Bomb Hydrogen Bomb
What is the difference between fuel of nuclear power plants and the fuel needed to construct a nuclear weapon?
Reactor grade material is usable in most nuclear power plants. Weapons grade material is required for nuclear weapons. For uranium the difference between reactor grade and weapons grade is the level of enrichment: less than 20% uranium-235 is reactor grade, greater than 20% uranium-235 (greater than 90% is prefered) is weapons grade. For plutonium the difference between reactor grade and weapons grade is the level of contamination with plutonium-241: any amount of plutonium-241 is OK for reactor grade, only low levels of plutonium-241 are acceptable in weapons grade as its spontaneous fission rate can cause the bomb to fizzle.
