energy measured by multiplying the amount of matter by the constant of light, quantity squared, scientists had a whole new realm into which they could enter. Now scientists were faced with the task of utilizing this energy, thus the processes of atomic fission and fusion came into play.In an atomic bomb, the precursor to the hydrogen bomb, the nucleus of uranium splits in a process of fission. This splitting of the atom produces enormous amounts of heat energy. This aspect of the atom bomb, heat producing, lead scientists to believe they could actually manufacture the hydrogen bomb, a bomb already researched and thought to be possible but not achieved because of the lack of heat. The hydrogen bomb uses “heavy” hydrogen atoms, or isotopes, and fuses them together. This however requires intense heat. In comes the atomic bomb, which produces 27,000,000 F, in the afore mentioned process. So in essence the atom bomb acts as the trigger to the hydrogen bomb. After the atomic fission occurs supplying the heat for the fusion of the hydrogen isotopes, the hydrogen isotopes form helium, a heavier element. When the helium is formed heat is again released to cause another more violent fission, this time of uranium 238. Every hydrogen bomb follows this basic three-step process, that results in a chain reaction of heat, energy producing splits, and atomic collisions. Testing for the hydrogen bomb commenced on March 1, 1954, when the United States exploded a hydrogen bomb on the Bikini atoll. This commencement of testing also was the staring gun of a race to nuclear superiority between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. This testing also began a fury of anti-nuclear activity that would prove to go hand-in-hand with nuclear proliferation. The origin of anti-nuclear feelings began when radioactive fallout was carried over 5,000 miles from Bikini, and fell on a group of Japanese fishermen on the Lucky Dragon. Many of the men on the b...
