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A nuclear explosion is caused by the uncontrolled mass fission of a quantity of fissionable material, and the explosion is the sudden release of energy produce almost instantaneously due to the rapidity of a chain reaction in weapons grade uranium (this is an example, being the most common fissionable material used in nuclear explosives), which must be at least 95% U-235 (the same quality is required for naval nuclear reactors on board ships and submarines, which are used for supply power to be used to propel the ship).
Nuclear explosions can also occur when a nuclear reactor is not properly maintained, or there is a meltdown (the structural failure of some critical component of the reactor leading to a breach of containment, and usually fires and complete structural failure).
The only differences between a nuclear reactor and a nuclear bomb are the level of enrichment of the fissionable material (which there is no difference in if you are talking about a high-grade naval reactor), and the control rods and other safety features which are used to keep the reactor under control.
The other type of nuclear detonation is the fusion device. This resembles fission, except energy is released upon the fusing of heavy water hydrogen molecules. The hydrogen (or h-bomb) uses nuclear fission as stated about to start the reaction. Most if not all fusion bomb are measured in the megaton (millions of tons) range. Currently only the United States and Russia have fusion bombs.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoA nuclear bomb is a chain reaction of atoms colliding with each other to cause a massive explosion, most often uranium or plutonium.
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If For a sustainable fission reaction each fission must produce exactly how many additional fission reaction(s).?
To sustain a fission chain reaction, each fission reaction must result in one more fission reaction. And that one should result in one more, and so on.
What are negative aspects of nuclear fission?
its really easy for accidents to happen ex. chernobyl USSR in 1986 a fission reaction caused an explosion killing 31 people and giving another 15,000 radiation sickness
Is conventional explosion a fussion or fission?
A conventional explosion is detonated on contact or impact. The conventional explosion has a fission ignite. This means it explodes upon impact and needs a primary explosive to ignite.
What are the disadvantages of nuclear fission and fusion?
For fusion, the main disadvantage is that nobody has been able to make it work. However it does have promise and if it can be developed it will not produce the dangerous fission products that fission does. For fission, see reply to question 'What are the disadvantages of nuclear fission power'
What is splitting of atomic nuclei?
FISSION. nobody on this website knows the answer..... SHAME
How does a dynamite explosion convert chemical energy to mechanical energy?
The chemical reaction causes heat, which causes the material to expand and result in an explosion.
For a sustainable fission reaction each fission must produce exactly additional fission reaction(s).?
A stable nuclear fission reaction will be sustained if every fission produces one additional fission reaction.
What is a chemical chain reactionA chemical reaction that causes the next one.(for geoscience Nuclear fission and fusion)?
Share A chemical reaction that causes the next one
What do fission of uranium produce?
Uranium fission creates a chain reaction that initiates a chain reaction that grows exponentially into a massive conversion of the potential energy inside the uranium atom into kinetic energy in the form of an explosion - a nuclear explosion. These are the bombs that ended WW2. Today we can split H atoms, which release significantly more energy.
What are the causes of a nuclear explosion?
Sudden release (in a few microseconds) of nuclear energy via fission, fusion, or a combination of both.
What causes a nuclear explosion?
An uncontrolled release of nuclear binding energy. This can be either by fission or fusion or some mixture of both.
If For a sustainable fission reaction each fission must produce exactly how many additional fission reaction(s).?
To sustain a fission chain reaction, each fission reaction must result in one more fission reaction. And that one should result in one more, and so on.
Why you use moderators in a nuclear reaction chamber during a fission chain reaction?
A moderator in a fission chain reaction is a system (usually water) that slows neutrons down (decreases their energy) to the point where they can interact with fissile material, causing the fission reaction to be self sustaining. This is necessary because, without the moderator, the neutrons emitted from fission have too much energy to cause subsequent fission. The design of the moderator is such that it provides automatic control of the reaction. As it heats up, the moderation effect decreases, causing the reaction to decrease. Conversely, as it cools down, the moderation effect increases, causing the reaction to increase. In the event that the moderator fails, such as when a depressurization event causes the water to flash to steam, the loss of moderation causes the fission reaction to stop.
What are negative aspects of nuclear fission?
its really easy for accidents to happen ex. chernobyl USSR in 1986 a fission reaction caused an explosion killing 31 people and giving another 15,000 radiation sickness
Is conventional explosion a fussion or fission?
A conventional explosion is detonated on contact or impact. The conventional explosion has a fission ignite. This means it explodes upon impact and needs a primary explosive to ignite.
What term describes the reaction process in a fission reaction?
another name for nuclear fission is: E=MC squared
When was fission reaction invented?
The first time a fission chain reaction was produced was in 1942
