ATOMIC BOMB

FISSION AND FUSION

• Fission - The process of splitting an atom into two halves using a neutron.
• Fusion - bringing together two smaller atoms to form a larger atom.
• The end product of both processes are massive amounts of heat energy and radiation are given off.
• Fission is the more effective process, so we will focus on fission.

FISSION BOMB

• Fuel must be kept in separate subcritical masses that won't support fusion
• Basically, the particles need to be far enough apart so that they do not detonate early
• A neuron generator is created so that free neurons can be there to set off the fission reaction.

ATOMS INVOLVED.

• An isotope of uranium, uranium-235, is what undergoes fission.
• Also, the uranium must be enriched to be effective.
• There needs to be 90% of u-235 in weapons grade uranium.
• The only other fuel for fission bombs is plutonium.

END PRODUCT

• After all of the u-235 has reacted with a neutron the only thing that is left is heat and energy.
• The explosion is the end product, and nothing else is left from the original product.