How do atomic bombs kill you?
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The core of an atomic (fission) bomb is a radioactive isotope, commonly some variation of uranium. There’s a process that sets off a chain reaction within that material, causing individual atoms to break apart and release a ton of heat and light when they do.
The efficiency and energy density of an atomic explosion means it creates a devastating shockwave to blow stuff apart with pure force, as well as a giant fireball to incinerate anything else. There’s also a release of a lot of x-rays and gamma rays, which are dangerous on their own in the way they damage cells and DNA, and any leftover uranium remains as dust that releases more of those dangerous rays for years afterward.
And that’s just the oldest style that was dropped on Japan. Nowadays we include fusion reactions which are orders of magnitude more powerful. Nukes are bad, mmkay?
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