China detonates non-nuclear hydrogen bomb: How is it different from Nuclear bombs

China has recently made a significant move in weapon technology with the successful detonation of a new type of hydrogen-based explosive device. Developed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation ’s 705 Research Institute, this device is unlike traditional hydrogen bombs as it doesn't rely on nuclear materials. Instead, it uses magnesium hydride, a compound known for its ability to store large amounts of hydrogen, according to a report presented by the South China Morning Post.

According to the report, the recent test, detailed in a study published in the Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance, showed how this material can produce a powerful fireball, reaching temperatures above 1,000°C, without any nuclear reactions.

To clarify, this is not a thermonuclear bomb (which uses nuclear fusion). Traditional hydrogen bombs work through nuclear fusion, a process where atomic nuclei combine under intense pressure to release energy. However, China’s device does not rely on nuclear fusion. Instead, it uses magnesium hydride in a chemical reaction to produce hydrogen and heat, making it a non-nuclear hydrogen-based explosive. This represents a new kind of weaponry that doesn’t involve nuclear reactions, offering a different form of explosive power.


Typically, there are two main types of nuclear bombs: atomic bombs (which rely on nuclear fission) and hydrogen bombs (which use nuclear fusion). China’s latest test introduces a non-nuclear explosive, raising important questions about how it differs from nuclear bombs and what it could mean for future warfare.

Understanding the technology behind the non-nuclear hydrogen-based explosive
China's recent detonation of a non-nuclear hydrogen-based explosive marks a significant advancement in weapon technology. Unlike traditional hydrogen bombs that rely on nuclear fusion, this device utilises magnesium hydride (MgH₂), a compound known for its ability to store hydrogen. When heated, magnesium hydride releases hydrogen gas, which ignites upon mixing with air, creating a powerful fireball.

This explosion is purely chemical, not nuclear. As lead researcher Wang Xuefeng and his team explain, “Hydrogen gas explosions ignite with minimal ignition energy, have a broad explosion range, and unleash flames that race outward rapidly while spreading widely.”

Atomic bomb vs. Hydrogen bomb: What’s the difference?
The major difference between an atomic bomb and a hydrogen bomb is how they release energy. An atomic bomb, according to Time, works by splitting heavy atoms, like uranium or plutonium, into smaller pieces. This process is called fission, and it releases a lot of energy. While powerful, the explosion from an atomic bomb isn't as strong as that of a hydrogen bomb.


On the other hand, a hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear bomb, uses a combination of two processes: fission and fusion. As explained by ThoughtCo, a hydrogen bomb uses not only uranium or plutonium but also hydrogen isotopes like deuterium and tritium. These hydrogen atoms fuse to create a much bigger explosion, which makes hydrogen bombs far more powerful than atomic bombs. Interestingly, the fission reaction in an atomic bomb is used to trigger the fusion reaction in a hydrogen bomb. In short, while an atomic bomb relies only on fission, a hydrogen bomb uses both fission and fusion to release much more energy.

In a nutshell, this new non-nuclear hydrogen bomb is a major step in weapon technology, showing that powerful explosives can be made without using nuclear materials. While different from traditional atomic and hydrogen bombs, it opens up new possibilities for future weapons and warfare.