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Nuclear energy is the controlled release of binding energy, used to generate energy, usually in the form of heat to drive a steam turbine which generates electricity. In this mode, KEFF is nominally equal to one, meaning the criticality stays at the same level, meaning that the number of binding energy release events per second does not change, and a very small percentable of the fuel is converted per second.
Nuclear weapons, on the other hand, are the uncontrolledrelease of binding energy, usually in the form of ultra high radiation and heat that destroys everything in the blast radius, and causes massive radioactive fallout. In this mode, KEFF is much, much greater than one, meaning the criticality increases at a very fast rate, in fact at what we call super prompt criticality, meaning the number of binding energy release events quickly consumes the entire fuel.
Another form of nuclear weaponry is the combination of ground up spend nuclear fuel, or some other radioactive element(s), with conventional explosives. In this mode, the bomb doess not "go nuclear", but it still disperses a large amount of radioactivity over a large area, causing injury from radioactive fallout.
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Atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb. What's the difference?
The term atomic bomb is a general one, and it can include both fission and fusion weapons. The hydrogen bomb (an "old term") is used in reference to a fusion device. Both are grouped under the contemporary term nuclear weapons, and we generally break down nuclear weapons into two types -- fission devices and fusion devices. The latter can only be set off by the former, so it takes a fission weapon to provide the energy needed to initiate the fusion reaction. Links can be found below for more information. The difference between nuclear and atomic bombs has to do with the fuel. Atomic bombs use only plutonium or uranium. Nuclear bombs use, in addition to plutonium or uranium, hydrogen. That is what makes them nuclear, unlike President Bush's mispronunciation: nucular. How funny is that? We had a president that had his finger on the button that would trigger nuclear destruction of all life forms on our planet, yet he could not even pronounce it properly? That is really scary!!! To fully answer the question: It does not really matter, if one happens to drop in your vicinity, the result is the same, the annihilation of all matter, including you.
What is happening in Iran?
Iran is in crisis for enriching its uranium resources.According to Iran it is doing it for generating energy but west accuses Iran of making nuclear weapons and so has imposed a number of sanctions on it.
How can nuclear energy benefit America?
Nuclear energy is a alternate fuel source to coal that can create large amounts of energy without polluting the air with carbon dioxide. Installing these in America would lower the need and demand for foeign oil and fuel. However there is a downside to nuclear energy; the nuclear reactor may overhaet and explode.
Is an atom bomb the same as an atomic bomb?
Atomic bombs use nuclear fission to cause near perpetual chains of reactions. Nuclear warheads (Nukes) just sums up all the different types, including hydrogen bombs (which use nuclear fusion, a much more potent type of power) and atomic bombs. So yes, they are the same.
What happened before the 1950s that would become instrumental in the development of nuclear energy in the future?
The atom was split successfully in early 1940s. In 1945, nuclear bombs were dropped on Japan and thereafter nuclear energy began being used for local energy.
What is the difference between nuclear weapons and normal weapons?
energy release aka yield
What are nuclear weapon?
Nuclear weapons are weapons which are fueled by nuclear energy. Examples of weapons that can be fueled by nuclear energy are missile warheads and bombs.
What is one difference between using nuclear energy and biomass energy?
Nuclear energy does not produce carbon dioxide.
Uranium was use in the development of the?
Nuclear energy Nuclear weapons
Who did uranium energy impact the world when it was discovery?
Appearance of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.
What is the difference between nuclear energy and thermal energy?
Thermal energy is the kinetic energy of the particles, while nuclear energy is the bond energy within the nucleus from strong interaction and weak interaction.
What is the definition of the DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex?
All the facilities used by the US to prepare the materials for nuclear weapons, build nuclear weapons, design and test new nuclear weapons. This is all lead by the Department Of Energy.
What is the difference between physical and nuclear energy?
Physical energy is energy due to motion (kinetic energy) and/or energy due to position or configuration (potential energy). Nuclear energy is due to the destruction of mass.
What is the difference between nuclear energy and light energy?
Light is electromagnetic energy. Nuclear energy is energy derived from nuclear reactions, and the nuclear reactions could be either fusion or fission reactions. As regards the energy that appears from nuclear reactions, it can take different forms, including the form of electromagnetic energy.
What would happen if uranium wasn't extracted?
No nuclear energy, no nuclear weapons
What is the main difference between between chemical and nuclear energy?
Chemical energy refers to forces between atoms; nuclear energy, to forces within the nucleus of individual atoms.Chemical energy refers to forces between atoms; nuclear energy, to forces within the nucleus of individual atoms.Chemical energy refers to forces between atoms; nuclear energy, to forces within the nucleus of individual atoms.Chemical energy refers to forces between atoms; nuclear energy, to forces within the nucleus of individual atoms.
What are common uses of nuclear energy?
Most uses include energy and weapons although some nuclear energy is used for materials.
