If the energy in fusion bombs were used to supply the energy needs of the world, how many of the 9-megaton variety would be needed for a year’s supply of energy (using data from Table 7.1)? This is not as far-fetched as it may sound—there are thousands of nuclear bombs, and their energy can be trapped in underground explosions and converted to electricity, as natural geothermal energy is.

Data given in Table 7.1

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Big Bang Object/phenomenon Energy released in a supernova Fusion of all the hydrogen in Earth's oceans Annual world energy use Large fusion bomb (9 megaton) 1 kg hydrogen (fusion to helium) 1 kg uranium (nuclear fission) Hiroshima-size fission bomb (10 kiloton) 90,000-metric ton aircraft carrier at 30 knots 1 barrel crude oil 1 ton TNT Energy in joules 1068 1044 1034 4x1020 3.8×10¹6 6.4×10¹4 8.0x10¹3 4.2x1013 1.1×1010 5.9x10⁹ 4.2×10⁹