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It explodes because it contains a critical mass of unstable atoms of a heavy metal such as Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239. When the nucleus of one of these large atoms is hit by a neutron, the atom splits into two medium-size atoms such as Barium and Krypton or Strontium and Xenon, and also releases 2 or more free neutrons and a burst of energy. This process is called Nuclear Fission. The free neutrons from one nuclear fission can then create more fissions, and a Chain Reaction is begun. More fissions release more neutrons which create more fissions which release even more neutrons, etc. If conditions are right, this chain reaction proceeds explosively to form a Nuclear Fission Bomb or "Atomic Bomb". If this chain reaction is slowed and controlled, then the nuclear fission produces heat energy which can be used to boil water in a Nuclear Power Plant. Rapid fission, nuclear bomb. Slow controlled fission, nuclear power plant.

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16y ago

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