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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1. Fission and the natural decay chain are two different processes that create different products. For example, U-235 spontaneously decays into Thorium-231 by emitting an alpha particle, but in a fission reaction it splits into Barium-141, Krypton-92, and three prompt neutrons while emitting gamma radiation.
2. A piece of paper may be able to stop an alpha particle, but that doesn’t do you much good if the material emitting the alpha particles is microscopic dust specks contaminating everything in your environment. If it gets into the water supply, or is absorbed by food crops/animals, or if enough of it slips past your air filters, the radioactive material is going to end up inside your body where it’s impossible to shield against.
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