subject: Development Of The Hydrogen Bomb [print this page] Introduction to atomic bomb physics: Introduction to atomic bomb physics:
The atomic bombs are based on the nuclear fission. The liquid drop model of the nuclear fission had been proposed in 1935. The theory of nuclear fission proposed by Bohr and Wheeler is still used for understanding the mechanism of nuclear fission. In this theory a heavy nucleus is assumed to behave like a charged liquid drop. The atomic bomb is based on the uncontrolled nuclear fission.
Atomic bomb Images
Atomic bomb Images
Atomic Bomb in Physics
The more common types of nuclear bombs art based on fission and they use U 235 and Pu 239. Such bombs are called fission bombs or atomic bombs or atom bombs. Nuclear reactors need about 3% enriched uranium while atomic bombs require highly enriched uranium. For example, the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima on 6 Aug 1945 used enriched uranium that had more than 90% of the uranium 235. The nuclear fuel elements for the nuclear reactors are assembled in such a way that they allow many neutrons to leak away or to get absorbed without triggering fission. In atomic bombs the nuclear fuel is assembled in such a compact manner that the chance of leakage of neutrons is much less or nil. This leads to the extremely fast generation of energy.
Conclusion for the Atomic Bomb
The yield of atomic weapon is mentioned in kilotons for 1 gram of uranium 235 release 8.3 107 KJ of energy for the complete fission. This is equivalent to the energy released in the explosion of 17 tons of the explosive TNT. Thus, 1 g of Uranium 235 in a weapon would yield energy equivalent to 17 kilotons of TNT. The huge amount of the energy generated creates an enormous fireball which can burn down a small city. Shock waves from the explosion flatten buildings within several kms and radioactive materials released in the blast spreads out over a large area causing nuclear radiations for a long time. A large number of people instantly killed. Other can get blinded by the brilliant flash of the explosion and a large number of those who survive the blast suffer from radiation illness.
Introduction to development of the hydrogen bomb:
As we know that, there are the two types of the nuclear reactions. In a nuclear reaction there is a libration of lot of amount of energy in different forms. These two nuclear reactions are nuclear fission and the nuclear fusion. In the nuclear fission, the heavy nucleus splits into two or more parts and liberate lot of amount of energy. Atom bomb is based on the process of nuclear fission. In the nuclear fusion two or more light nucleus are combined together and librates lot of amount of energy. Hydrogen bomb is based on the nuclear fusion. Here we discuss about the hydrogen bomb and its development.
Development of Hydrogen Bomb
The nuclear bombs that are based on the process of nuclear fusion are hydrogen bombs or thermo nuclear bombs. The nuclear fuels for the fusion in these bombs are used are the isotopes of hydrogen so that these types of the bombs are called hydrogen bombs. The fuels used in the hydrogen bombs are deuterium (1H2) and tritium (1H3). However, tritium is not the naturally occurring isotope of hydrogen, and it is costly to make and maintained it artificially. However, lithium 6 (3Li6), an isotope of lithium, reacts with a neutron to produce tritium (1H3).
3Li6 + 0n1 '->' 1H3 + 2He4 + 4.8 MeV (energy)
In the lithium available in the nature, about 7.5%, Li and rest is the Li 7. Lithium is enriched to increase the concentration of Li 6 before use as the nuclear fusion fuel. Normally, the compound LiD is used as the nuclear fusion fuel. To start the fusion reaction, the temperature of the fuel is to be very high and at the same time, the fuel has to compress under pressure to a high density. To achieve the high temperature and pressure, a small fission bomb is used as the first stage of the hydrogen bomb.
Image of hydrogen bomb
Image of hydrogen bomb
Conclusion to the Development of Hydrogen Bomb
Hydrogen bomb can be much more devastating than the atomic bombs. A hydrogen bomb can release energy equivalent to the explosion of several million tons of TNT. The heat and the shock waves cause extensive damages. Also, the radioactive material from the fission device used to start the fusion reaction spreads over a very large area.
On September 23, 1949, President Harry S. Truman shocked the world when he announced that the Soviet Union had conducted a successful test of an atomic weapon the month before. Although many scientists and some in the US intelligence community had predicted the Soviets would acquire this advanced technology shortly after the Americans, the general surprise nonetheless sparked a sense of panic in the United States. Already distressed about the growing division and militarization of Eastern Europe, in addition to the triumph of the communists in the Chinese civil war, high-ranking officials in the United States government quickly mobilized in an effort to reassert American interests on the world scene.
Initially, Truman sought the advice of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Formed in 1946 to oversee the research and development of nuclear weapons, the AEC directed a moderate stockpiling of fissionable materials following the Second World War. Though aware that scientists involved in the Manhattan Project believed the manipulation of atomic energy could trigger an explosion of unlimited magnitude, AEC Director David Lilienthal saw no reason to promote such research during peacetime. But following the Soviet show of force during the summer of 1949, one Commission member, Lewis Strauss, criticized Lilienthals decision to dismiss further analysis of thermonuclear weapons. Arguing that the only way to regain nuclear superiority would be the creation of a crash program aimed at the development of a new type of weapon a hydrogen bomb Strauss began an aggressive campaign to convince Truman of the merits of his proposal. Since the AEC could not reach a consensus on its own concerning the H-bomb, Lilenthal instructed the General Advisory Committee (GAC) of the Commission to study the matter further and offer a recommendation as soon as possible.
