Nuclear Physics in the Real World

Nuclear Bombs

One of the more simpler types of bombs is called an Atomic bomb.  It uses the process of nuclear fission on a large unstable element.  More complicated types are the hydrogen or thermonuclear bombs.  This is completed through nuclear fusion.  Each of the two devices works slightly differently but produces the same kind of results.

Fig 11

Atomic Bombs

Atomic bombs use a material such as uranium or plutonium.  Because of its unstable nature, it is very ready to fall apart with the smallest bump which would release a a very large amount of energy.  The outer casing of TNT is the necessary push that releases that energy.  Plutonium by itself is not going to explode on its own.  Enough atoms of plutonium can break down and warm it up but not enough to cause an explosion.  The TNT causes the plutonium to compress so when the atoms are released they cannot help but mash into each other.  This is where all of the extra energy comes from which causes the explosion.

Fig 12

Hydrogen Bombs

The hydrogen bomb is much more powerful than the atomic bomb.  The actual trigger for the bomb is not TNT but instead an actual atomic bomb.  The H-Bomb is made up of two different kinds of isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium.  Smaller atomic bombs trigger the finale explosion for the Hydrogen bomb.  Like the TNT, they compress the two isotopes into a very dense mass which initiates fusion, producing great amounts of energy.  The actual bomb casing is made out of uranium.  When the inside of the bomb detonates its causes the casing to undergo fission which causes even more energy to be released.  The fusion reactions produces a fission reaction which totals up to a huge amount of energy.

Fig 13

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