What are the two main types of nuclear weapons?

The two main types of nuclear weapons are indeed fission and fusion. Fission weapons, also known as atomic bombs, operate by splitting the nuclei of heavy atoms, such as uranium or plutonium, releasing a substantial amount of energy. This process is the fundamental principle behind the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

On the other hand, fusion weapons, commonly referred to as hydrogen bombs, involve the merging of light atomic nuclei, typically isotopes of hydrogen, to create a heavier nucleus. This fusion process releases significantly more energy than fission and requires the extreme temperatures and pressures generated by a fission explosion to initiate.

The distinction between these two types of nuclear weapons lies in their underlying mechanisms; fission relies on splitting massive atoms while fusion combines lighter atoms. Each type has profound implications for military strategy and international relations, as their development and potential deployment can drastically alter global security dynamics.