The atomic bomb was the first nuclear weapon ever developed. Its power comes from nuclear fission, the process of splitting heavy atoms, typically uranium-235 or plutonium-239, to release enormous energy.

Atomic vs nuclear bombs: The key difference behind world’s deadliest weapons

Chinese researchers claim to have detonated a hydrogen-based explosive that produced a devastating effect without using any nuclear material. As per a study published in March, the bomb weighing just 2 kg (4.4 lbs) generated a fireball exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit) for over two seconds, producing a devastating effect. The explosion led to extensive thermal release, enough to melt aluminum alloys, besides allowing precise control over blast intensity and achieving massive destruction across a vast area, said a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese-language Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance.
The explosive device was developed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation&rsquo;s (CSSC) 705 Research Institute, known for its work in underwater weapon systems, using a magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage material, said a report in the South China Morning Post. The chemical&mdash;magnesium hydride&mdash; is a silvery powder that can store much more hydrogen than a pressurised tank. It was developed with the aim to bring the gas to off-grid areas, where it could power fuel cells for clean electricity and heat.
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-am-i-to-judge-stance-on-lgbtq-surrogacy-among-most-contentious-moments-of-pope-francis-papacy-8985804">&lsquo;Who am I to judge&rsquo;: Stance on LGBTQ, surrogacy among most contentious moments of Pope Francis&rsquo; papacy</a> Magnesium hydride was activated by conventional explosives and underwent rapid thermal decomposition, releasing hydrogen gas that ignited into a sustained inferno, the researchers said. &ldquo;Hydrogen gas explosions ignite with minimal ignition energy, have a broad explosion range, and unleash flames that race outward rapidly while spreading widely,&rdquo; said the team, led by CSSC research scientist Wang Xuefeng. &ldquo;This combination allows precise control over blast intensity, easily achieving uniform destruction of targets across vast areas.&rdquo; The hydrogen bomb can cause vast thermal damage, as the fireball it produces lasts much longer than TNT&rsquo;s fleeting 0.12-second flash. The researchers found that under controlled conditions, the detonation created 428.43 kilopascals pressure at two metres from the bomb, but with a far greater heat projection range. Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sends-55m-boeing-jet-back-to-us-calls-it-too-expensive-under-trump-tariffs-8984077" rel="dofollow">5,000-mile return: China sends $55M Boeing jet back to US, calls it &lsquo;too expensive&rsquo; under Trump tariffs</a> The researchers also explored the potential military applications of the detonation, like using it to create intense heat across a large area and focusing its destructive power on high-value targets. The report said that the initial blast smashes magnesium hydride into tiny fragments that heat up and release hydrogen, which mixes with ambient air and ignites, triggering exothermic combustion. The extra heat triggers the same reaction, releasing more hydrogen and creating a chain reaction until fuel exhaustion. The paper did not disclose where the large amount of magnesium hydride used in the test came from. Until recently, magnesium hydride could only be produced in laboratories at the slow pace of a few grams per day since binding hydrogen with magnesium requires high temperatures and pressure, and any accidental exposure during manufacturing can lead to deadly explosions. Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signal-group-chat-leak-trumps-defense-secretary-hegseth-shared-details-of-yemen-attack-with-his-wife-and-family-8983897" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Signal group chat leak: Trump's defence secretary Hegseth 'shared' details of Yemen attack with his wife and family</a> Earlier this year, China launched a magnesium hydride plant in the northwestern province of Shaanxi that can produce a staggering 150 tonnes of the material per year. Developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the plant has achieved low production costs using a &ldquo;one-pot synthesis&rdquo; method. Other uses of the solid hydrogen storage technology are being explored, including in submarine fuel cells and long-endurance drone power systems. The PLA has embarked on a green campaign and is modernising its military capabilities by integrating clean energy technologies. China is developing electric-powered warships, tanks, and space launch systems.

World: The explosion led to extensive thermal release, enough to melt aluminum alloys, besides allowing precise control over blast intensity and achieving massive destruction across a vast area.

Chinese researchers claim to have detonated a hydrogen-based explosive that produced a devastating effect without using any nuclear material. As per a study published in March, the bomb weighing just 2 kg (4.4 lbs) generated a fireball exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit) for over two seconds, producing a devastating effect. The explosion led to extensive thermal release, enough to melt aluminum alloys, besides allowing precise control over blast intensity and achieving massive destruction across a vast area, said a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese-language Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance. The explosive device was developed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s (CSSC) 705 Research Institute, known for its work in underwater weapon systems, using a magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage material, said a report in the South China Morning Post. The chemical—magnesium hydride— is a silvery powder that can store much more hydrogen than a pressurised tank. It was developed with the aim to bring the gas to off-grid areas, where it could power fuel cells for clean electricity and heat. Also Read | ‘Who am I to judge’: Stance on LGBTQ, surrogacy among most contentious moments of Pope Francis’ papacy Magnesium hydride was activated by conventional explosives and underwent rapid thermal decomposition, releasing hydrogen gas that ignited into a sustained inferno, the researchers said. “Hydrogen gas explosions ignite with minimal ignition energy, have a broad explosion range, and unleash flames that race outward rapidly while spreading widely,” said the team, led by CSSC research scientist Wang Xuefeng. “This combination allows precise control over blast intensity, easily achieving uniform destruction of targets across vast areas.” The hydrogen bomb can cause vast thermal damage, as the fireball it produces lasts much longer than TNT’s fleeting 0.12-second flash. The researchers found that under controlled conditions, the detonation created 428.43 kilopascals pressure at two metres from the bomb, but with a far greater heat projection range. Also read | 5,000-mile return: China sends $55M Boeing jet back to US, calls it ‘too expensive’ under Trump tariffs The researchers also explored the potential military applications of the detonation, like using it to create intense heat across a large area and focusing its destructive power on high-value targets. The report said that the initial blast smashes magnesium hydride into tiny fragments that heat up and release hydrogen, which mixes with ambient air and ignites, triggering exothermic combustion. The extra heat triggers the same reaction, releasing more hydrogen and creating a chain reaction until fuel exhaustion. The paper did not disclose where the large amount of magnesium hydride used in the test came from. Until recently, magnesium hydride could only be produced in laboratories at the slow pace of a few grams per day since binding hydrogen with magnesium requires high temperatures and pressure, and any accidental exposure during manufacturing can lead to deadly explosions. Also read: Signal group chat leak: Trump's defence secretary Hegseth 'shared' details of Yemen attack with his wife and family Earlier this year, China launched a magnesium hydride plant in the northwestern province of Shaanxi that can produce a staggering 150 tonnes of the material per year. Developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the plant has achieved low production costs using a “one-pot synthesis” method. Other uses of the solid hydrogen storage technology are being explored, including in submarine fuel cells and long-endurance drone power systems. The PLA has embarked on a green campaign and is modernising its military capabilities by integrating clean energy technologies. China is developing electric-powered warships, tanks, and space launch systems.

China detonates hydrogen bomb, creates devastating effect without using nuclear material

During what was the 2017 Easter weekend for most of the world, North Koreans celebrated the &ldquo;Day of the Sun&rdquo;. It was the 105th birthday of the country&rsquo;s late founding leader and &ldquo;eternal president&rdquo; Kim Il-sung (1912-1994).

Thousands of soldiers, military vehicles and, most notably, various ballistic missiles were paraded for the inspection of current supreme leader Kim Jong-Un (Kim Il-sung&rsquo;s grandson).

But it wasn&rsquo;t the parade that signalled North Korea&rsquo;s belligerence; numerous other countries hold military parades to mark some significant occasion or another.

Instead, what was clearly aggressive was the presentation of a mock-up video of the country&rsquo;s ballistic missiles destroying an American city during a national musical performance.

This video is the most visceral expression yet of Pyongyang&rsquo;s intentions. Its telecast was likely timed to coincide with the expected arrival of the US Navy&rsquo;s aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, and its accompanying fleet of warships in Korean waters.

Inching closer

On April 8, US President Donald Trump and other American officials told the media that the Carl Vinson had been ordered to make its way towards the Korean peninsula. The likely plan was to demonstrate American resolve in managing the crisis that North Korea&rsquo;s nuclear weapons program has created.

Subsequent revelations that the warship was actually heading south for exercises with the Australian Navy at the time showed a series of blunders in internal communication. But the fact that the Carl Vinson has arrived off Korean waters two weeks later does not change the prospect of a military conflict between North Korea and the United States.

The key question is whether North Korea does have nuclear weapons that it can readily use against the United States and its regional allies, South Korea and Japan. It&rsquo;s still unlikely North Korea has the current capability to launch a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile that can destroy an American city.

North Korea&rsquo;s scientists have yet to master the technology to build missiles that can traverse this distance and to construct warheads that can survive re-entry into the Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere after space flight.

But years of testing has allowed North Korea to inch closer to getting right the extremely demanding science of building and launching viable intercontinental nuclear weapons. And this is why the United States is against further testing, to the point that the Trump administration seems serious about justifying pre-emptive strikes on the basis of further nuclear and missile tests.

What is of immediate concern is that previous tests have led to North Korea being able to achieve the relatively easier requirements of building workable medium-range ballistic missiles, with small enough warheads, to strike American bases in South Korea and Japan. These have about 80,000 US military personnel in total.

Approaching catastrophe

North Korea may already have as many 20 nuclear warheads that are small enough to be carried on its Nodong (or Rodong-1) medium-range missiles that can reach these bases. And the Trump administration seems to not want to risk the lives of American soldiers by assuming that North Korea doesn&rsquo;t already have this nuclear capability.

The cost of that mistake would be the lives of not just 80,000 American military personnel but also countless South Korean and Japanese lives as well. In fact, a North Korean nuclear attack, which will likely develop into war, can be expected to create a humanitarian, environmental and economic catastrophe that will set back the international community.

This is what&rsquo;s immediately at stake for everyone. And it explains why the United States is putting pressure on China, as an ally of North Korea, to influence it to stop its nuclear weapons program.

But if China and other countries fail to stop North Korea building nuclear weapons, the United States will feel pressured to use military force to destroy whatever nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles sites it can locate by satellite surveillance.

The decision to divert the Carl Vinson to waters near the Korean peninsula may also be driven by new intelligence on North Korea&rsquo;s nuclear threat. The challenge is that sending an American naval armada towards North Korea risks triggering the very nuclear attack against US bases that the Trump administration is trying to avoid in the first place.

This could explain why the administration said it was sending its naval vessels two weeks ago when it really did so later. It may have been to test North Korea&rsquo;s attitude without escalating the situation by the actual presence of American naval forces that could trigger military action by Kim Jong-Un&rsquo;s regime.

A worrying stand-off

Why would North Korea want to use nuclear weapons against American bases in Northeast Asia in the first place? It is helpful to remember that, technically, North and South Korea have been at war since 1950 (the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice rather than peace). And that the United States has chosen to provide military assistance to the South to help protect it from any aggression by the North.

North Korea may have a very large army of about one million soldiers. South Korea effectively has half that number. Although the majority of South Korea&rsquo;s able-bodied male citizens may contribute to a military reserve of a few million soldiers, mobilising them in time to respond to a conflict is another question and their role is often excluded from analyses.

As such, the American military personnel and the superior equipment, aircraft and ships that they operate provide the South with a better chance of avoiding defeat should war break out.

Pyongyang&rsquo;s intention in using nuclear weapons would be to destroy these American bases to remove the advantage they give to South Korea&rsquo;s national defence. This is why the threat of nuclear use, especially by a more brazen regime under Kim Jong-Un, needs to be taken very seriously.

Such is the current quagmire as the world waits to see how the geopolitics of the Korean peninsula will unfold over the next few months. And as strategists and policymakers scramble to find other approaches for halting North Korea&rsquo;s growing nuclear threat.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-north-koreas-nuclear-threat-must-be-taken-more-seriously-than-ever-76592" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

North Korea?s growing nuclear power intends to destroy the US army bases in Korean region

During what was the 2017 Easter weekend for most of the world, North Koreans celebrated the “Day of the Sun”. It was the 105th birthday of the country’s late founding leader and “eternal president” Kim Il-sung (1912-1994). Thousands of soldiers, military vehicles and, most notably, various ballistic missiles were paraded for the inspection of current supreme leader Kim Jong-Un (Kim Il-sung’s grandson). But it wasn’t the parade that signalled North Korea’s belligerence; numerous other countries hold military parades to mark some significant occasion or another. Instead, what was clearly aggressive was the presentation of a mock-up video of the country’s ballistic missiles destroying an American city during a national musical performance. This video is the most visceral expression yet of Pyongyang’s intentions. Its telecast was likely timed to coincide with the expected arrival of the US Navy’s aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, and its accompanying fleet of warships in Korean waters. Inching closer On April 8, US President Donald Trump and other American officials told the media that the Carl Vinson had been ordered to make its way towards the Korean peninsula. The likely plan was to demonstrate American resolve in managing the crisis that North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has created. Subsequent revelations that the warship was actually heading south for exercises with the Australian Navy at the time showed a series of blunders in internal communication. But the fact that the Carl Vinson has arrived off Korean waters two weeks later does not change the prospect of a military conflict between North Korea and the United States. The key question is whether North Korea does have nuclear weapons that it can readily use against the United States and its regional allies, South Korea and Japan. It’s still unlikely North Korea has the current capability to launch a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile that can destroy an American city. North Korea’s scientists have yet to master the technology to build missiles that can traverse this distance and to construct warheads that can survive re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere after space flight. But years of testing has allowed North Korea to inch closer to getting right the extremely demanding science of building and launching viable intercontinental nuclear weapons. And this is why the United States is against further testing, to the point that the Trump administration seems serious about justifying pre-emptive strikes on the basis of further nuclear and missile tests. What is of immediate concern is that previous tests have led to North Korea being able to achieve the relatively easier requirements of building workable medium-range ballistic missiles, with small enough warheads, to strike American bases in South Korea and Japan. These have about 80,000 US military personnel in total. Approaching catastrophe North Korea may already have as many 20 nuclear warheads that are small enough to be carried on its Nodong (or Rodong-1) medium-range missiles that can reach these bases. And the Trump administration seems to not want to risk the lives of American soldiers by assuming that North Korea doesn’t already have this nuclear capability. The cost of that mistake would be the lives of not just 80,000 American military personnel but also countless South Korean and Japanese lives as well. In fact, a North Korean nuclear attack, which will likely develop into war, can be expected to create a humanitarian, environmental and economic catastrophe that will set back the international community. This is what’s immediately at stake for everyone. And it explains why the United States is putting pressure on China, as an ally of North Korea, to influence it to stop its nuclear weapons program. But if China and other countries fail to stop North Korea building nuclear weapons, the United States will feel pressured to use military force to destroy whatever nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles sites it can locate by satellite surveillance. The decision to divert the Carl Vinson to waters near the Korean peninsula may also be driven by new intelligence on North Korea’s nuclear threat. The challenge is that sending an American naval armada towards North Korea risks triggering the very nuclear attack against US bases that the Trump administration is trying to avoid in the first place. This could explain why the administration said it was sending its naval vessels two weeks ago when it really did so later. It may have been to test North Korea’s attitude without escalating the situation by the actual presence of American naval forces that could trigger military action by Kim Jong-Un’s regime. A worrying stand-off Why would North Korea want to use nuclear weapons against American bases in Northeast Asia in the first place? It is helpful to remember that, technically, North and South Korea have been at war since 1950 (the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice rather than peace). And that the United States has chosen to provide military assistance to the South to help protect it from any aggression by the North. North Korea may have a very large army of about one million soldiers. South Korea effectively has half that number. Although the majority of South Korea’s able-bodied male citizens may contribute to a military reserve of a few million soldiers, mobilising them in time to respond to a conflict is another question and their role is often excluded from analyses. As such, the American military personnel and the superior equipment, aircraft and ships that they operate provide the South with a better chance of avoiding defeat should war break out. Pyongyang’s intention in using nuclear weapons would be to destroy these American bases to remove the advantage they give to South Korea’s national defence. This is why the threat of nuclear use, especially by a more brazen regime under Kim Jong-Un, needs to be taken very seriously. Such is the current quagmire as the world waits to see how the geopolitics of the Korean peninsula will unfold over the next few months. And as strategists and policymakers scramble to find other approaches for halting North Korea’s growing nuclear threat. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Why North Korea's nuclear threat must be taken more seriously than ever

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would allow Japan and South Korea to buy more &quot;highly sophisticated&quot; US military equipment, amid soaring tensions after Pyongyang&#39;s latest atomic test.

&quot;I am allowing Japan &amp; South Korea to buy a substantially increased amount of highly sophisticated military equipment from the United States,&quot; Trump said in a tweet.

Trump&#39;s statement came after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/46-quake-detected-in-n-korea-due-to-cave-in-china-19810">North Korea on Sunday detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb</a> designed for a long-range missile, sparking global alarm with what was by far its most powerful test to date.

On Monday, the South&#39;s military launched a volley of ballistic missiles simulating an attack on the North&#39;s nuclear test site.

Trump did not elaborate on the kind of weaponry and equipment he had in mind, but the White House has said the president is willing to approve the sale of &quot;many billions of dollars&#39; worth of military weapons and equipment&quot; to Seoul.

The White House statement also confirmed an earlier announcement by Seoul that the United States would lift restrictions on South Korean missile payload capabilities.

Seoul was previously restricted to a maximum warhead weight of 500 kilograms (1100 pounds) on its ballistic missiles, according to a bilateral agreement with the United States signed in 2001.

The United States on Monday launched a bid at the UN Security Council to quickly slap the &quot;strongest possible measures&quot; on North Korea in response to its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, but China and Russia argued that diplomatic talks were needed to address the crisis.

Trump's statement came after North Korea on Sunday detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile, sparking global alarm

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would allow Japan and South Korea to buy more "highly sophisticated" US military equipment, amid soaring tensions after Pyongyang's latest atomic test. "I am allowing Japan & South Korea to buy a substantially increased amount of highly sophisticated military equipment from the United States," Trump said in a tweet. Trump's statement came after North Korea on Sunday detonated what it described as a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile, sparking global alarm with what was by far its most powerful test to date. On Monday, the South's military launched a volley of ballistic missiles simulating an attack on the North's nuclear test site. Trump did not elaborate on the kind of weaponry and equipment he had in mind, but the White House has said the president is willing to approve the sale of "many billions of dollars' worth of military weapons and equipment" to Seoul. The White House statement also confirmed an earlier announcement by Seoul that the United States would lift restrictions on South Korean missile payload capabilities. Seoul was previously restricted to a maximum warhead weight of 500 kilograms (1100 pounds) on its ballistic missiles, according to a bilateral agreement with the United States signed in 2001. The United States on Monday launched a bid at the UN Security Council to quickly slap the "strongest possible measures" on North Korea in response to its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, but China and Russia argued that diplomatic talks were needed to address the crisis.

Japan, S Korea can buy more sophisticated US military equipment: Trump

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