Chapter 20, Problem 20.96QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The role of tritium and deuterium contain should be determined for nuclear bomb.

Concept Introduction:

• Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen.
• This play a vital role and perishable ingredient of nuclear bomb.
• Unlike Uranium & plutonium, which last for tens of thousands of years, tritium transforms itself into a form of helium at a rate of about 5.5 percent a year.

  Therefore, it must be replaced periodically.

• A few grams of tritium inside a bomb will produce a more efficient chain reactions and made same destruction energy form less fuel.
• So that’s why in modern era atomic bomb containing a small amount like Tritium & Deuterium instead of Uranium or Plutonium.

To determine: The tritium and deuterium contain present in atomic bomb & how these are helping to boost the power of explosion. .