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A nuclear explosion requires two things. First, it requires a critical mass, and second, it requires that the critical mass hold together long enough into the chain reaction that it truly explodes and does not simply come apart.
The critical mass comes because certain isotopes spontaneously undergo fission, and, when doing so, produce enough neutrons to cause multiple other atoms to undergo fission also. If there is enough such material in a small enough volume, a chain reaction is produced that consumes most or all of the atoms present. The only natural element to do this is uranium-235.
A problem with this is that when the chain reaction starts, there is enough heat to cause the mass to fly apart, destroying the critical mass and ending the reaction. So, building a nuclear bomb requires addressing this problem. It is not an easy problem to overcome, and it probably cannot happen accidentally at all. There has been at least one attempt at building a nuclear bomb that probably failed because of this problem.
What else can I help you with?
How do atoms explode?
Atoms do not explode; rather, nuclear reactions involving atoms can lead to nuclear explosions. In nuclear explosions, the nucleus of an atom undergoes a chain reaction that releases an immense amount of energy in the form of heat and light. This release of energy is what causes the explosion.
Why is the method of fission energy a bad thing?
Because the nuclear fission area could explode
What are facts and a fib about how radioactive materials are used to produce nuclear energy?
Fact: Radioactive materials such as uranium are used as fuel in nuclear reactors to produce nuclear energy through a process called nuclear fission, where atoms are split to release energy. Fib: Radioactive materials used in nuclear energy production can explode like a nuclear bomb.
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.
Do nuclear weapons explode?
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.
Can atoms explode?
Atoms themselves cannot explode, as they are the building blocks of matter. However, when atoms undergo a nuclear reaction or fission/fusion process, they can release a tremendous amount of energy in the form of an explosion.
What time did the nuclear power plant explode?
a
Why are people afraid of a nuclear meltdown in Japan?
coz if nuclear meltdown it can explode
Why do atoms explode?
Atoms explode when they undergo a rapid release of energy due to a chain reaction of nuclear fission or fusion within the nucleus. This can happen in nuclear reactions, where atomic nuclei split or merge, releasing massive amounts of energy in the form of heat, light, and radiation.
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 many days after the Japanese earthquake 2011 did the nuclear plant explode?
On the next day of Japanese earthquake 2011, the nuclear plant started to explode.
How is the making of weapons different from peacetime use of nuclear energy?
Weapons are designed to explode and produce blast waves to destroy targets. Peaceful nuclear energy uses a controlled steady fission reaction to produce heat, which then is used to generate electricity
