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A nuclear reactor is controlled and operates at exact critical state (no neutron multiplication). If it went out of control and went supercritical (like a bomb), the neutron multiplication factor could only rise a little before a meltdown occurred and the fuel rearranged itself into subcritical form and the reactor shut itself down (meltdowns are good, but expensive to repair). Most reactors operate with low enriched fuel (about 3% to 5% Uranium-235), you need high enriched fuel (at least 20%, typically 93.5% uranium-235) to get the prompt supercriticalstate required in a bomb.
Having said all that, nuclear reactors can have chemicaland pressure pulse explosions, but these are not nuclear explosions. One type of chemical explosion that can occur is a hydrogen gas explosion; this is caused when there is a LOCA and exposed zirconium clad fuel rods overheat, when water splashes thee overheated rods it decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen. Enough hydrogen collects and an electrical spark happen and Boom! This has not happened in commercial reactors. Pressure pulse explosions (like the steam explosion at Chernobyl) happen when there is a sudden energy pulse in the reactor and the coolant can't carry away the heat, resulting in flash vaporization that overpressurizes the cooling system causing pipes and/or tanks to burst.
What else can I help you with?
Can nuclear fuel rods overheat and explode?
Nuclear fuel rods can overheat and cause a meltdown, but they do not explode like a bomb. If the core overheats, it can lead to a release of radioactive material into the environment. These scenarios are extremely rare and are prevented through strict safety measures in nuclear power plants.
Is there any chance of a nuclear explosion from a nuclear power plant?
No. There is no possibility whatsoever of a nuclear power plant having a nuclear explosion. It is not physically, or even theoretically, possible for the core to be brought into a super-prompt critical geometry and held there long enough to consume enough fuel to "go nuclear".
Is it possible for a nuclear power plant to blow up like an atomic bomb?
No.. Entirely impossible. There've been a couple meltdowns such as Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, A few scattered partial meltdowns, and a bunch of Russian Submarines. But the reactor is in no way designed to explode. They have to MAKE it explode for atomic bombs. You can't just pick up some uranium and set it on fire and hope it blows up. Explosions can happen and kick radioactive material around, but there won't be some huge mushroom cloud a mile wide. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdown for more information.
Did a nuclear plant ever exploded in the US?
Yes, the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania experienced a partial core meltdown in 1979, which resulted in the most serious accident in the history of the US commercial nuclear power generating industry. However, the reactor did not explode like a nuclear bomb.
Is a bomb a nuclear reaction?
No, a bomb is not necessarily a nuclear reaction. A bomb can be any device that is designed to explode and cause destruction, whereas a nuclear reaction involves the splitting or combining of atomic nuclei to release energy. Nuclear bombs, also known as atomic bombs, utilize nuclear reactions to produce a very powerful explosion.
What year did the nuclear bomb explode in hiroshima?
1945
When did Pakistan explode their first atomic bomb?
18th May1998, but its not atomic bomb (its nuclear bomb)
Can nuclear fuel rods overheat and explode?
Nuclear fuel rods can overheat and cause a meltdown, but they do not explode like a bomb. If the core overheats, it can lead to a release of radioactive material into the environment. These scenarios are extremely rare and are prevented through strict safety measures in nuclear power plants.
Can a nuclear bomb explode in space and produce a mushroom cloud?
No
Will cars be affected by electromagnetic force when nuclear bomb explode?
Yes.
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.
How powerful is a nuclear bomb compared to the sun?
The power of a nuclear bomb is a very tiny fraction of the power of the sun.
Is there any chance of a nuclear explosion from a nuclear power plant?
No. There is no possibility whatsoever of a nuclear power plant having a nuclear explosion. It is not physically, or even theoretically, possible for the core to be brought into a super-prompt critical geometry and held there long enough to consume enough fuel to "go nuclear".
Is it possible for a nuclear power plant to blow up like an atomic bomb?
No.. Entirely impossible. There've been a couple meltdowns such as Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, A few scattered partial meltdowns, and a bunch of Russian Submarines. But the reactor is in no way designed to explode. They have to MAKE it explode for atomic bombs. You can't just pick up some uranium and set it on fire and hope it blows up. Explosions can happen and kick radioactive material around, but there won't be some huge mushroom cloud a mile wide. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_meltdown for more information.
Did a nuclear plant ever exploded in the US?
Yes, the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania experienced a partial core meltdown in 1979, which resulted in the most serious accident in the history of the US commercial nuclear power generating industry. However, the reactor did not explode like a nuclear bomb.
Did the nuclear bomb dropped on japan explode on impact or in mid air?
The bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were atomic bombs and not nuclear bombs and were designed to explode above the ground and not on impact.
What are some results of nuclear fission?
The destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Every single one of the nuclear power plants. Every atom bomb and Hydrogen bombs.
