Question

Fusion bomb involves (a) explosion of TNT (b) combustion of oxygen (c) destruction of heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei (d) combination of lighter nuclei into bigger nucleus

Short answer

The correct answer is (d): combination of lighter nuclei into a bigger nucleus.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

A fusion bomb's working principle is related to nuclear reactions, specifically involving changes in atomic nuclei. The options describe different types of reactions or processes.

Analyze Each Option

- Option (a): TNT explosion is a chemical reaction, not a nuclear process. - Option (b): Combustion of oxygen is also a chemical reaction, involving oxygen and a fuel, not fusion. - Option (c): Destruction of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei is nuclear fission, not fusion. - Option (d): Combination of lighter nuclei into a bigger nucleus is characteristic of nuclear fusion.

Identify the Correct Process for Fusion

Fusion involves the combination of lighter nuclei, such as hydrogen isotopes, to form a heavier nucleus while releasing energy. This is precisely described in Option (d).

Conclude the Correct Answer

Based on the analysis, option (d) accurately describes the process involved in a fusion bomb, where light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.

Key concepts

Nuclear Reactions

Nuclear reactions are processes that involve changes in an atom's nucleus. This contrasts with chemical reactions, which only involve the electrons surrounding the nucleus. During nuclear reactions, the composition of the atomic nucleus is altered, leading to the transformation of elements or isotopes.

There are two fundamental types of nuclear reactions: nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Nuclear fission refers to the splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei, which releases a significant amount of energy. Conversely, nuclear fusion involves the combination of light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, also releasing energy in the process. These reactions are what power stars and have potential applications in energy generation here on Earth.

Understanding nuclear reactions is crucial as they provide insights into the workings of nuclear power plants as well as the destructive capability of nuclear weapons, including both fission and fusion bombs.

Fusion Bomb

A fusion bomb, also known as a hydrogen bomb or thermonuclear bomb, is a weapon that utilizes nuclear fusion to release energy.

Unlike traditional nuclear bombs, which rely solely on fission reactions, fusion bombs use both fission and fusion to achieve a much more powerful explosion. Here's how it works:

• A fission bomb acts as a trigger, creating the extreme temperatures and pressures needed to initiate fusion.
• Lighter nuclei, typically isotopes of hydrogen like deuterium and tritium, are combined to form a heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy.

This process is highly efficient in terms of the energy released, making fusion bombs far more destructive than fission bombs. Fusion bombs highlight the immense energy potential of nuclear fusion but also underscore the dangers inherent in harnessing such power for military purposes.

Atomic Nuclei

Atomic nuclei are the core of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons, and carry a positive charge due to the protons. The number of protons in the nucleus determines the element, while the total number of protons and neutrons determines the isotope.

The nucleus is held together by the strong nuclear force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature. This force is incredibly powerful but acts only over very short distances within the nucleus. When a nuclear reaction occurs, the binding energy contained within the nucleus is released, which can be harnessed in applications like nuclear power or can cause immense destruction in nuclear weapons.

The stability of an atomic nucleus is dependent on the ratio of protons to neutrons. Some nuclei are highly stable, while others are more prone to undergoing reactions such as fission or fusion, depending on their composition and the conditions they are subjected to.

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is a process in which a heavy atomic nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, usually accompanied by the release of neutrons and a significant amount of energy. This process is exothermic, meaning it releases energy, which is the principle behind nuclear power plants and atomic bombs.

Nuclear fission occurs because the resultant smaller nuclei together have a total mass slightly less than the original nucleus, and the "missing" mass is converted into energy according to Einstein’s famous equation, \( E=mc^2 \).

Fission can occur spontaneously, though it's often induced by the absorption of a neutron. Once initiated, it can create a chain reaction, if the emitted neutrons cause further fissions. Control of this chain reaction is key in a nuclear reactor, where it's used to produce energy, whereas, in a nuclear weapon, the aim is an uncontrolled chain reaction for a massive release of energy.

• Key examples of nuclei that undergo fission include Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239.
• Fission products are typically themselves radioactive, leading to challenges in handling nuclear waste.

Understanding fission is vital for developing nuclear energy technologies and managing nuclear materials safely.