What Is The Hydrogen Bomb?The Hydrogen Bomb is closely related to the atomic bomb. Anything atomic usually gives off different kinds of "waves." These waves include the Blast Wave, Thermal Radiation, Initial nuclear radiation, and Residual nuclear radiation. The Blast wave works by forming a fireball, which consists of dust and EXTREMELY hot gases under high pressure. Approximately a second after the explosion, the gases expand and form a gas wave, or a shock wave. This wave moves quickly away from the fireball like a wall of highly compressed air. The wave made by just a 1-megaton explosion could travel about 12 miles in the first 50 seconds after the explosion. Also, this wave is the wave that usually creates all the damage. As the wave moves, it creates overpressure, which is pressure above the normal level. A 1-Megaton explosion can produce enough overpressure to destroy most buildings within 1 mile to 6 miles. Not only is this just a wave, but it is accompanied by winds that may reach speeds of 400 miles an hour from ground zero. (Ground zero is the place on the ground directly below the explosion.) With both the blast wave and winds combined, it could kill most people within three to 6 miles from ground zero.
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The next kind of wave is Thermal Radiation, which consists of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation given off by the fireball. The ultraviolet is absorbed by particles, so it does little harm. However, the visible and infrared light can cause eye damage and skin burns called flash burns. About 20 or 30 percent of deaths in World War II bombing resulted from flash burns. Thermal radiation can also light newspapers and flammable items and create large fires. But, in a nuclear war, the smoke from such fires would absorb enough sunlight to lower the temperature of much of the earth for several months or years. These lowered temperatures could result in crop failure and famine. This effect is known as nuclear winter. But, a person could be sheilded from Thermal radiation by solid objects such as walls, trees, buildings, and rocks, and, light colored clothing, which reflects heat. But, Thermal radiation in a 1-megaton blast could produce second-degree burns, which involve blistering, to any exposed human skin up to 11 miles away. Initial nuclear radiation is given off within the first minute after the explosion, and it consists of neutrons and Gamma rays. These two items are released instantly after the explosion. The rest of the Gamma rays are given off in a huge mushroom-shaped cloud. Large doses of radiation could result in radiation sickness or death, though it does matter how close the person is in relation to ground zero. Residual Radiation is given off later than a minute after the explosion. This also consists of Gamma rays, and, beta particles (electrons). these two items strike particles of rock, soil and water, which make up the mushroom cloud. But, when these items are struck, they also become radioactive. When these particles, after being in the mushroom cloud fall down, it is known as fallout. The closer the explosion is to the ground, the more fallout it produces. There are two kinds of fallout: One is Early Fallout, in which, the particles the ground within the first 24 hours after the explosion. This kind of fallout is highly radioactive, and can kill any living thing. the other kind of fallout is Delayed Fallout, also in which, the particles fall back to the ground anytime from 24 hours to a number of years. It consists of tiny, often invisible particles that may fall in small amounts over large areas. Such radiation can cause damage to any living thing over a large period. |
In Conclusion, I would like to give you the answer to the question "What is The Hydrogen Bomb." It can be answered: The Hydrogen Bomb is a bomb closely related to the Atomic Bomb with its chain reactions and functions, but instead, the Hydrogen Bomb uses hydrogen fuel along with the other chemicals included in the Atomic Bomb. Back |
