Mell What is the best definition for nuclear weapons?
A weapon whose destructive power comes from nuclear energy; an atomic bomb or a hydrogen bomb. A weapon that derives its energy from the nuclear reactions of either fission or fusion.
What is the principle of nuclear weapons?
Modern nuclear weapons work by combining chemical explosives, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion. The explosives compress nuclear material, causing fission; the fission releases massive amounts of energy in the form of X-rays, which create the high temperature and pressure needed to ignite fusion.
Why is nuclear weapons important?
Nuclear weapons represent the ultimate defense of the nation, a deterrent against any and all potential adversaries. Combined with diplomacy and conventional military capabilities, nuclear weapons have helped to avoid a large-scale conflict between leading world powers for over fifty years.
What are the different types of nuclear weapons?
Join Britannica’s Publishing Partner Program and our community of experts to gain a global audience for your work! Nuclear weapon, device designed to release energy in an explosive manner as a result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or a combination of the two processes. Fission weapons are commonly referred to as atomic bombs.
How are nuclear weapons used in World War 2?
In modern nuclear weapons, which use both fission and fusion, a single warhead can release more explosive energy in a fraction of a second than all of the weapons used during World War II combined —including Fat Man and Little Boy, the two atom bombs dropped on Japan. All nuclear weapons use fission to generate an explosion.
Which is the best description of a nuclear bomb?
Nuclear weapon, device designed to release energy in an explosive manner as a result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or a combination of the two processes. Fission weapons are commonly referred to as atomic bombs. Fusion weapons are also referred to as thermonuclear bombs or, more commonly,…
How does the energy of a nuclear weapon work?
The energy released by the weapon creates a fireball that reaches several tens of million degrees—temperatures in the same range as the center of the sun (which also runs on fusion). The explosions used in thermonuclear weapons are often described as a primary (the chemical and fission explosions) and secondary (the subsequent fusion blast).