thermonuclear weapon

A thermonuclear weapon, also known as an H-bomb, is a highly powerful explosive device that releases energy through nuclear fusion—a process where atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing vast amounts of energy. It typically uses a smaller fission reaction (like an atomic bomb) to generate the extreme heat and pressure needed to initiate fusion in a secondary stage. This combination results in a vastly more destructive explosion than traditional atomic bombs, producing intense heat, blast, and radiation. Thermonuclear weapons are the most powerful nuclear weapons developed, capable of causing widespread devastation.