how can splitting a tiny piece of an even tinier atom create such a vast explosion?
In: Physics
Interlock your fingers together and don’t let go. Try to pull your hands apart. Your grip is likely stronger then your ability to pull your hands apart. Now imaging Dwayne the Rock Johnson walks up and pulls your hands apart. He’s pulling and pulling and your grip is strong, but you can feel your fingers weaken. Suddenly your fingers lose grip and your hands fly apart in a burst of energy.
That’s what happens when you split an atom. Energy used to keep bits together is released. Except the energy released is enough to release more bits. And in an instant, protons are flying in all directions releasing ever more energy until they run out of other protons to hit.
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