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Glossary

Hydrogen bomb

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Nuclear weapon using the energy release of nuclear fusion reactions. Probably, the reactions 6Li (n,) 3H + 4.8 MeV and H (d,n)4He + 17.6 MeV are involved. An atomic bomb is used to fire the hydrogen bomb, i.e. to reach the temperature required for fusion. The explosion force achievable far surpasses that of atomic bombs, the destruction equivalent is that of several megatonnes trinitrotoluene, a chemical explosive. The first hydrogen bomb was fired on the Bikini Atoll on 1st March 1954.