A hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear bomb, is a powerful type of nuclear weapon that uses fusion to release energy. Unlike atomic bombs, which rely on fission (splitting heavy atomic nuclei), hydrogen bombs combine light atomic nuclei, like those of hydrogen, to create a massive explosion. This process generates much more energy, making hydrogen bombs significantly more destructive. The basic design of a hydrogen bomb involves a primary explosion from a fission bomb that triggers the fusion reaction in a secondary stage. This two-step process allows for an explosion that can be thousands of times more powerful than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The immense energy released can cause widespread devastation and long-lasting effects on the environment.