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.
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.
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.
During the 1960s, the United States experienced significant developments in nuclear energy, marked by the expansion of nuclear power plants and a growing reliance on nuclear energy for electricity generation. Simultaneously, the Cold War heightened fears of nuclear war, particularly following events like the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, which brought the U.S. and the Soviet Union to the brink of conflict. Public concern over nuclear weapons proliferation and the potential for catastrophic nuclear war spurred movements advocating for disarmament and increased safety measures regarding nuclear technology. This era was characterized by a complex interplay of technological advancement and existential anxiety surrounding nuclear capabilities.
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.
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.
energy release aka yield
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.
Reactors use thermal (slow) neutrons, fission weapons use fast neutrons.Reactors all use fission, weapons can use fission, fusion, or any combination.Reactors can use delayed fissions making them respond slowly to control changes, weapons complete their reaction too fast for delayed fissions to happen.Reactors have control rods and their energy release can be adjusted or even turned off, weapons have no controls and release all their energy in a few microseconds once triggered.etc.
Nuclear energy Nuclear weapons
Appearance of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.
Nuclear weapons' yield is derived primarily from fission. Thermonuclear weapon's yield is derived mainly from fusion. Thermonuclear weapons are multistage weapons -- x-rays from a nuclear primary trigger are used to trigger ablation in the pusher of the secondary to compress it, which is responsible for the fusion reaction.
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.
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.
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.
Nuclear fission involves splitting atoms to release energy, while nuclear fusion involves combining atoms to release energy.
Yes, nuclear weapons release energy through a nuclear fission or fusion reaction, causing a powerful explosion. This release of energy is what causes the destructive force associated with nuclear weapons.
No nuclear energy, no nuclear weapons