An atomic bomb uses a nuclear chain reaction to release a huge amount of energy. The first explosion occurred in 1945 during the Manhattan Project. Nuclear reactions occur when heavy nuclei are hit by neutrons, creating a chain reaction. The bomb can release over 80 terajoules of energy per kilogram. The core is compressed by high-explosive lenses. The atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb are the most powerful weapons in the world. Seven countries have nuclear weapons, and the world has enough nuclear capability to wipe out the human race many times over.
An atomic bomb works by starting a nuclear chain reaction, which releases a huge amount of energy compared to conventional explosives. Per unit volume, an atomic bomb can be millions or billions of times more powerful than TNT. The first atomic explosion occurred on July 16, 1945 at the Alamogordo Test Range in New Mexico, during a test called Trinity. It was developed during the top secret Manhattan Project, directed by US Army General Leslie R. Groves.
Nuclear reactions occur when neutrons are fired at closely spaced atoms with heavy nuclei (isotopes of uranium or plutonium). These heavy nuclei break up into lighter nuclei when hit by a neutron, in turn generating more neutrons that bombard other nuclei, creating a chain reaction. This process is known as fission. (Another process known as fusion releases energy by fusing nuclei together instead of breaking them.) By breaking the nuclei apart instead of releasing energy through a conventional chemical reaction, atomic bombs can release more than 80 terajoules of energy per kilogram (TJ/kg). .
In early bombs, the chain reaction was started by simply firing two hemispheres of high-purity uranium isotope at each other in a small chamber. In updated designs, the core of a uranium or plutonium bomb is surrounded by high-explosive lenses designed to compress the core upon detonation. The compressed core becomes critical, starting a chain reaction that persists until many of the heavy cores have been broken up.
The atomic bomb and its cousin, the hydrogen bomb, have probably been the most powerful weapons in the world since their creation many decades ago. Big bombs can destroy entire cities. Thousands of atomic bombs have been detonated, although only two have ever been used in warfare, both used by the United States against Japan during World War II. There are seven countries that openly declare that they have nuclear weapons; United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, People’s Republic of China, India and Pakistan. The world currently possesses enough nuclear capability to wipe out the human race many times over.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
