Final answer:
The hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear bomb, actually relies on nuclear fusion, not fission. Fission is used as a trigger for the fusion reaction that is responsible for the bomb's immense explosive power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a hydrogen bomb relies on the process of nuclear fission is false. A hydrogen bomb, which is also known as a thermonuclear bomb, utilizes the process of nuclear fusion. The construction of a hydrogen bomb involves the use of a fission bomb to initiate the necessary conditions—extremely high temperatures and pressures—to fuse hydrogen nuclei together.
In this fusion process, the isotopes of hydrogen, such as deuterium and tritium, combine to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy.
To summarize, while fission is a critical step in triggering a hydrogen bomb, the bomb's powerful explosion is mainly due to fusion.