2006-09-20 15:33:41 · 15 answers · asked by lolasdaddy03 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Bombarding uranium atoms with neutrons,caused them to 'fissile' (split). A self-sustaining chain reaction could occur if more unstable (or as they say, enriched) uranium was brought into the same location. To achieve a chain reaction, a 'critical mass' of uranium was needed. A trigger mechanism had to be engineered to begin the fissile process within a small warhead. How much more do you want to know?
2006-09-21 07:36:12 · answer #1 · answered by Its not me Its u 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Enrico Fermi and his staff of brilliant staff of phsyicists, created the first nuclear chain reaction beneath the stadium of the University Of Chicago in 1942, thus splitting the atom for the 1rst time. This new-found knowledge and ability led to Los Alomos and the developement of the Atom bomb, which was first tested at Alomagoros, NM on July 16, 1945.
2006-09-20 22:44:56 · answer #2 · answered by Wego The Dog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the wiki page on nuclear weapon design: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapon_design
Basically, if you just pile up enough highly-enriched uranium, it'll go critical (start an atom-splitting reaction) and spew out a bunch of radiation. However, the energy of this reaction prevents the critical mass of uranium from sticking together long enough to explode. This is how nuclear reactors work. So the nuclear weapons use some sort of explosive device to compress the critical mass long enough for it to form an explosion.
2006-09-20 22:53:04 · answer #3 · answered by Charles D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scientists are notoriously cheap.
One day they were splitting the check at the local diner and one suggested that he take the extra atom on the table.
An argue ensued.
In the end, they decided to split it.
2006-09-20 22:37:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They simply applied enough pressure to make an unstable material collapse.
All a nuclear bomb is is a really powerful pressure system powered by explosives with some highly unstable material at it's center.
2006-09-20 22:38:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pneumatic cleaver
2006-09-20 22:42:46 · answer #6 · answered by da_hammerhead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A teeny weeny hammer and chisel
2006-09-21 15:39:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using a centrifuge.
2006-09-20 22:41:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
E=MC squared
stands for
Educate Many Canadians times three
2006-09-20 22:36:23 · answer #9 · answered by Kitten,Doc 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You want us to explain nuclear fission?? This is more of a science question and should be posted there.
2006-09-20 22:54:35 · answer #10 · answered by lana_sands 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋