I understand that an atomic bomb works by detonating fuel (uranium or plutonium) that sparks a chain reaction of fission so every atom causes the fission of more atoms until the fuel is used up. But I don’t understand 2 parts of this process:
1. Why does the fuel (uranium atoms) blow up? I see some sources saying the atoms are being split, but other sources say atoms are being smashed into each other. Which is it? And why does performing that action cause an atom to violently explode?
2. Once the fission is happening and growing exponentially through the fuel, why doesn’t it set off a chain reaction with the atmosphere? Why exactly can’t uranium spark the fission of nitrogen? Why does the chain reaction stop when the uranium is gone?
I know other atomic bomb questions have been asked, but in my research I couldn’t find these answers. Thanks so much!
In: Chemistry
This question was asked when Oppenheimer was developing the A-bomb. “Will this bomb set the atmosphere on fire?” It had enough traction that they ran it through some physicists/mathematicians who calculated that the probability of it happening was less than 1 in 10000, a risk that was deemed acceptable.
Others have answered more on the technical side, but recognize that the question has enough validity that it was also asked by those who had a good understanding of nuclear physics.
Latest Answers