Submitted by something-stupid2134 t3_zhmf26 in askscience
sault18 t1_iznwfbe wrote
Reply to comment by RobusEtCeleritas in What is the difference between atomic, nuclear and hydrogen bombs? by something-stupid2134
And don't boosted weapons use fusion mostly just to generate neutrons to cause fission fast enough before the device blows itself apart?
RobusEtCeleritas t1_iznww1y wrote
Yes, but the same could be said of many "true thermonuclear" weapons too. The main contribution of the fusion fuel to the yield is due to the high-energy fusion neutrons inducing more fission, rather than the fusion reaction Q-values, which are on the order of 10 times lower than the relevant fission Q-values.
the_nebulae t1_izobs9n wrote
Q-value, explain it like I’m 5.
RobusEtCeleritas t1_izooj5x wrote
Amount of energy released by a single reaction.
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