Question

The fuel for a thermonuclear bomb is lithium deuteride, a salt composed of the ions ^​6₃Li⁺ and ²₁H^-. Considering the nuclear reaction:
⁶₃Li + ¹₀​n --> ⁴₂He + ³₁H

a. Explain how a uranium-­235 fission bomb could serve as a trigger for this lithium deuteride bomb.

b. Knowing that there are numerous potential fusion reactions that could occur with the materials available in the description above, write 3 fusion reaction which may occur.

Answer 1

(a)U-235 is the valuable isotope from a nuclear weapons because it can serve as the primary fuel for a weapon or power plant, when lithium deuteride bomb can not.when a U-235 atom absorbs a neutron, it breaks into two smaller atoms plus some number of neutrons. This splitting or fission also releases “atomic energy” that can produce electricity or an explosion.On average, such a fission of a U-235 atom produces about 2.5 new neutrons.All nuclear weapons require fissile materials like U-233, highly enriched U-235 or PU-239. These are called A-bombs. Another more powerful type of bomb was developed after WW2 known as the H-bomb. This employed a Fission A-bomb to trigger a larger secondary Fusion explosion with Deuterium (heavy Hydrogen).  Fusion on the other hand involved the fusing together of of low mass elements like Heavy Hydrogen (Deuterium, or Tritium) with Lithium. A Nazi scientist discovered during 1936 whilst experimenting with an electric arc furnace used for reduction of Lithium to make batteries for U-boats, that by injection of Deuterium (heavy water) caused radiation from a nuclear fusion reaction. This discovery led to trial to discover if the crushing of molten Lithium at massive pressures by conventional explosives could emulate the same conditions and cause a flash of X-rays. The purpose was to discover if this flash of neutrons, called a thermonuclear reaction, could be used to ignite fission in fissile material (ie Uranium, or Plutonium).This is the basis of tactical nuclear weapons.