Mell How destructive is an atomic bomb?
When completely fissioned, 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of uranium-235 releases the energy equivalently produced by 17,000 tons, or 17 kilotons, of TNT. The detonation of an atomic bomb releases enormous amounts of thermal energy, or heat, achieving temperatures of several million degrees in the exploding bomb itself.
How is the atomic bomb different from traditional fire bombs?
Damage of the atomic bombs was done by (1) blast, (2) heat rays, and (3) radiation. The damage was expanded by secondary fires. The primary differences between an atomic bomb and conventional bombs are that the atomic bomb has more powerful yield and causes damage by heat rays and radiation.
Why did US firebomb Tokyo?
In the closing months of the war, the United States had turned to incendiary bombing tactics against Japan, also known as “area bombing,” in an attempt to break Japanese morale and force a surrender. The firebombing of Tokyo was the first major bombing operation of this sort against Japan.
How is a nuclear bomb different from a conventional bomb?
You could get an idea as to how disastrous a nuclear bomb could be, by this simple comparison: one kilogram of nuclear fission fuel can release energy 20,000,000 times more than one kilogram of TNT (tri-nitro-toluene), the explosive material used in conventional bombs. How does a Nuclear Bomb differ from a Conventional Bomb?
How are atomic bombs different from hydrogen bombs?
Atomic bombs are nuclear weapons that use the energetic output of nuclear fission to produce massive explosions. These bombs are in contrast to hydrogen bombs, which use both fission and fusion to power their greater explosive potential.
What do you need to know about the atomic bomb?
The Atomic Bomb 1 Atomic Bombs. Atomic bombs are nuclear weapons that use the energetic output of nuclear fission to produce massive explosions. 2 History. Only two nuclear weapons have been used in the course of warfare, both by the United States near the end of World War II. 3 Nuclear Chemistry Behind the Explosion. …
How are nuclear weapons different from chemical weapons?
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear rather than chemical reactions. A nuclear reaction releases about a million times more energy than does a chemical reaction.