Usually atomic bombs are composed of Uranium-235, Uranium-238, and Plutonium (if I am wrong, please correct me), all of which have an alpha decay. However, if alpha particles have the least penetrating power, and can be stopped through something a thin as a piece of paper, how is it so dangerous?
edit: Sorry for the confusion, I meant how is the radiation from it dangerous, not the initial explosion. However it seems my question has been answered on both accounts. Thank you to everyone who answered! I have a better understanding of it now.
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The question you’re asking here is kind of like asking, “How can forest fires be so dangerous if wood just rots over time? Compost piles don’t even get that warm.”
The mechanism that powers nuclear weapons has very little to do with alpha decay. Alpha decay is basically when a tiny fragment of the radioactive atom pops off. Like a button on a stretched piece of clothing. The atoms just do this at random sitting around doing nothing. This isn’t the part anyone is concerned about and doesn’t power the bomb.
What the bomb does is make the radioactive elements straight up rip themselves in half. That’s way more violent and energy-liberating than alpha decay and is where all of the terrifying power comes from.
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