Question

Hydrogen bomb is based on the principle of
A. Uncontrolled fusion reaction
B. Controlled fusion reaction
C. Uncontrolled fission reaction
D. Controlled fission reaction

Answer 1

Hint: Hydrogen bomb is working with the same principle of sun. Smaller nuclei combine and form a bigger one and the mass defect arising due to the combination will release the energy.

Complete Step-by-Step solution:
Atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb are different types of nuclear bomb. Both are working with nuclear reactions. But the only difference is how the energy is created. In an atomic bomb, a fission reaction is taking place. That is, it will try to break the nucleus of an atom into smaller atoms. This result, the release of tremendous energy as well as several sub atomic particles like neutrons and finally that becomes an explosion.
Hydrogen is based on the fusion reaction. That is fusing smaller atomic nuclei into a bigger one. In this reaction we need high energy for the initiation process. So, hydrogen bombs are started with a fission reaction. Then followed by the fusion reaction. The energy released by a fusion reaction is approximately four times greater than the energy released by a fission reaction.
This name is given because, for the fusion reaction we are using tritium and deuterium. They are basically isotopes of hydrogen. The four hydrogen nuclei can form a helium nucleus after fusion reaction. It will create a mass defect. According to Einstein relation, mass is directly proportional to energy. At this time, they will release around 25 MeV of energy per fusion. It is assumed that if a million fusion reactions take place, the temperature can attain more than 10 million kelvins. In stars uncontrolled fusion reactions take place.
Basically, the fusion reaction is uncontrollable. The controlled reactions are extensively dependent upon the amount of fuel. Mostly, controlled nuclear chain reactions are used for constructive purposes like energy harvesting. But the uncontrolled nuclear chain reactions have been used for destructive purposes like atom bombs. So, the hydrogen bomb works with the principle of uncontrolled fusion reaction. Therefore, the correct option is A.

Note: There is a chance to think, hydrogen bombs are controlled fusion reactions. But it is entirely wrong. It is also using the same principle of our sun. Explosive effects are only for uncontrolled reactions. Controlled chain reactions are safer. Even if there is any problem, we can rectify by using various systems and less amount of fuel.