The Chain Reaction: A Small Spark, A Big Explosion
How does a nuclear bomb work? How do you make a nuclear bomb? In simple words, the process is called fission, where the nucleus of a heavy atom such as Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239 is torn apart. It may sound easy, but it is otherwise.
- A neutron is fired into a Uranium-235 nucleus.
- The nucleus splits, liberating energy and more neutrons.
- These new neutrons in turn hit other Uranium-235 atoms, thereby inducing further splits.
- The multiplication continues – the reaction increases exponentially in a fraction of a second.
- In controlled conditions (like a nuclear power plant), that would be how it was used for producing energy conversions.
But a nuclear bomb? No brakes.
It all happens in a split second: devastating energies are released at points of impact so close to zero that the peaceful morning turns into a flash of history.
Two Types of Nuclear Bombs
More, sadly, both have been employed, though, in history.
- The Gun-Type Bomb (Hiroshima – Little Boy)
– A piece of Uranium-235, when shot against another piece, produces a critical mass to trigger a chain reaction.
– The blast releases energy equating to 15,000 tons of TNT.
- The Implosion Bomb (Nagasaki – Fat Man)
– Plutonium-239 is surrounded by classical explosives, which compress it into a supercritical state.
– This compression will set off an even stronger explosion.
Both were harbingers of doom. In 1945, such havoc was wreaked in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that lie flattened beneath miles of crushing earth – information at an instant; lives were snuffed from thousands of souls – generations have long-term impacts.
Reality-Check – The Cost of Humanity
Science is the most beautiful thing in the world. The fact that one tiny neutron can be the single trigger for all this power is the most wonderful thing. Alas, the same science becomes now the greatest tragedy for human beings when made into weapons.
When it ends, however, it will not just have destroyed a thing: it will have left behind the ruins of:
- Ruined homes, lost friends and families, and a future obliterated in an instant.
- Radiation leaves health impacts that last long years, like causing cancer and even birth defects.
- Survivors (Hibakusha) bearing a burden heavy with history.
Science finds an ethical place here. Just because we can do something does not always mean we should do it.
Can You Control It? How About Trying It in Dencity
Chain reactions are the stuff of sci-fi movies, but you can actually do it without real risk to yourself.
In our physics app – Dencity, you can participate in the Virtual Chain Reaction Experiment, where you fire a neutron at a Uranium-235 nucleus and watch it react.
- Control how many U-235 atoms are present.
- Change conditions and see how different the reaction speed is.
- Find out what happens in a controlled vs uncontrolled reaction.
Like things a notch heavier? There is also the Virtual Uncontrolled Nuclear Bomb Experiment, where you can simulate the science experiment to observe how a nuclear explosion starts – with total safety, of course.
Final Thought – Mainly Power Versus Responsibility
Nuclear energy cuts both ways – it can light a city and destroy it. The science behind it is brilliant, but the real question is, how are we going to use such power?
Perhaps the real challenge is not about splitting atoms but bringing humanity together.
