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Most of them begin the same way- a "less than critical mass" of fissile material- usually plutonium- is squeezed by specially shaped high explosives into a "greater than critical mass". This permits an exponentially increasing nuclear chain reaction to take place- plutonium breaks apart into lighter elements, releases energy that breaks more plutonium into lighter elements, and releases tremendous energy as heat and radiation. Fusion weapons use this as the igniter to begin fusing very light materials (hydrogen) into heavier elements, releasing even greater energy as heat and radiation. There can also be a third stage that uses the very high energy fusion neutrons to break apart (fission) materials that normally do not fission, such as Uranium238.
What else can I help you with?
What causes a nuclear explosion?
A nuclear explosion is caused by the rapid release of energy from a nuclear chain reaction. This can occur in a nuclear weapon when a critical mass of fissile material is rapidly brought together, leading to a highly destructive explosion. In a nuclear reactor, such an explosion is prevented through control mechanisms that regulate the nuclear reaction.
If a nuclear weapon exploded on a nuclear Power Plant would the explosion radius increase?
No, a nuclear explosion on a nuclear power plant would not cause the explosion radius to increase. The explosion radius would be determined by the yield of the nuclear weapon itself, not by the presence of the power plant.
Can you give me the image of the nuclear weapon?
You could kindly refer to the links below for the images of nuclear weapon designs and their explosion consequences.
Is nuclear explosion man made disaster?
Yes, a nuclear explosion is considered a man-made disaster when it results from human actions, such as the detonation of a nuclear weapon. While nuclear reactions occur naturally in the universe, the controlled use of nuclear fission or fusion for weaponry is a product of human technology and decision-making. Additionally, accidents at nuclear power plants can also lead to catastrophic events, further categorizing them as man-made disasters.
In which year did the explosion at Chernobyl nuclear reactor occur?
1986, the same year as the Challenger Space Shuttle explosion.
What is the difference between a bomb and an nuclear bomb?
Basically, a conventional bomb uses a chemical explosive as the source of its destructive power. A nuclear weapon uses nuclear material to create an explosion. A nuclear explosion is much larger, and also emits ionizing radiation. A chemical weapon does not emit any radiation. A nuclear weapon's yield is measured in Kilotons (thousand tons). In very simplified terms, this means that a nuclear weapon with a 475 kiloton yield produces an explosion comparable to 475,000 tons of TNT (TNT is a chemical explosive). That's A LOT of TNT and it would take up a bit of space. A nuclear weapon with this yield may only be a few feet long and a foot wide, and the actual nuclear material may be the size of a grapefruit.
How big was the nuclear explosion?
The size of a nuclear explosion can vary depending on the yield of the weapon. The explosions can range from several kilotons (thousands of tons of TNT) to megatons (millions of tons of TNT) of explosive power.
When did India test it's first nuclear weapon?
India conducted its first nuclear detonation, described by India as a "peaceful nuclear explosion," on May 18 1974.
Did chernobyl explode like a bomb?
It did explode, but this was due to a surge in steam pressure which blew off the top of the reactor, it was not a nuclear explosion as in a nuclear weapon.
What is inside of a nuke?
A nuclear weapon typically contains a fissile material such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, high explosives to trigger the nuclear chain reaction, and various components to control the explosion and enhance the weapon's efficiency.
What are the method of controlling nuclear explosion?
nuclear explosion?
What was the year of the first nuclear explosion in Los Alamos?
Never. The first nuclear explosion was on July 16, 1945 in the Journado Del Meurto inside what is now Whitesands Proving Grounds.
