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uranium atoms are hit with neutrons which makes them unstable, the strong nuclear force between neutrons and protons break releasing a ton of energy, the uranium usually breaks down into iodine and xenon, that releases more neutrons which hits more uranium which releases more energy In a bomb the mass of uranium has to be supercritical, which means that the reaction keeps happening spontaneously til the explosion, in a reactor some of the neutrons are removed from the reaction so it doesnt blow up

2007-01-11 23:11:32 · answer #1 · answered by Alex P 2 · 1 0

It depends on the type of nuclear weapon. Early ones relied on U235, in that type of reaction a fast neutron struck a Uranium atom, resulting in the splitting (fissioning) of the atom's nucleus. This split releases, on average, 180 MeV (million electron volts, a unit of energy), and 2.5 fast neutrons, some of which will go on to strike more Uranium nuclei, resulting in a chain reaction. Plutonium based weapons use Pu239, which releases 200 MeV and 2.9 neutrons per fission, giving greater efficiency for the chain reaction. Fusion bombs, also known as hydrogen bombs, use energy derived from 2 atoms fusing together to form a single, new atom. Most use "heavy hydrogen" (deuterium and tritium) and fuse them into Helium, along with the release of of about 17 MeV (D-T reaction). Incidentally, this is similar to the reaction that takes place in the sun. While less energy is released per reaction, many more reactions can take place during a fusion chain reaction, allowing for far greater energy yields than with a fission warhead. The catch is that fusion takes a large amount of heat and pressure to start. Most modern warheads are 2 stage weapons that use a smaller fission device to provide the necessary temperature and pressure to sustain a more efficient fusion device. Most of these use a Deuterium - Lithium 6 fusion reaction, in which the Lithium is converted into Helium and Tritium in a process that is just too long to get into here. So I have provided some links below.

2007-01-11 23:38:28 · answer #2 · answered by That Guy 4 · 1 0

Nuclear fusion is happening interior the picture voltaic's center. Nuclear fission occurs interior nuclear reactors and in atomic bombs. It has even taken position interior organic and organic rock formations interior the previous. Nuclear fusion does ensue interior hydrogen bombs (they use a mixture of fission and fusion reactions to generate better yield than undemanding fission guns). The earth is amazingly for sure although proper the following, regardless of the previous use of such guns (a minimum of in checks). Fusion reactions ensue in particle accelerators and in fusion attempt gadgets. you need to be able to also construct a bench-ideal Farnsworth-Hirsch fusor which will generate some fusion reactions. we've not yet reached the aspect of making a device that would help self-retaining fusion reactions and generate skill, though there's a global challenge underway to construct a attempt kit that ought to flow on the fringe of the spoil-even criterion.

2016-11-23 13:44:36 · answer #3 · answered by pariasca 4 · 0 0

Did you ever see a game of pool shot?

Picture the 8 ball hitting a fresh rack. That's pretty much what happens when a nuclear bomb detonates.

2007-01-11 23:12:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

It isn't a chemical reaction per se. Rather, it involves saturating atoms with neutrons until they become too large, and split, releasing energy. No electrons are transferred, and as such, it isn't a 'reaction' in the ordinary sense of the word.

2007-01-11 23:09:03 · answer #5 · answered by Jim 5 · 0 0

its an inside job of an atom.
it breaks down the atom and blasts the neutron inside.

2007-01-11 23:10:37 · answer #6 · answered by tonima 4 · 0 0

nuclear fission-breaking up of the nuclei

2007-01-11 23:14:19 · answer #7 · answered by taz 1 · 0 0

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