How does intercepting an ICBM not trigger a nuclear explosion?

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assuming the ICBM is a nuclear warhead…. Doesn’t the whole process behind a nuclear warhead involve an explosion that propels the nuclear “fuel” to start a chain reaction? i.e. exploding a warhead will essentially be the same as the explosion that causes the isotope to undergo fission?

ig the same can be said about conventional bombs as well but nuclear is more confusing.

In: Chemistry

17 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

One thing I know is that a nuclear bomb that hits the ground and explodes is worse than one that explodes in the air. Hiroshima and Nagasaki had their bombs explode in the air above the city, and it’s why the city is habitable today. Had the bomb hit the ground then exploded the nuclear fallout would still be there and be a problem.

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