Where does the energy in a nuclear explosion come from?

Where does the energy in a nuclear explosion come from?

The energy of an atomic bomb or a nuclear power plant is the result of the splitting, or “fission,” of an atom. Most nuclear power plants today draw their energy from the fission of uranium atoms. Under certain conditions, a uranium atom will split apart into two smaller atoms, such as barium and krypton.

What is the main reason for the energy emitted by the atomic bomb?

nuclear weaponA weapon that derives its energy from the nuclear reactions of either fission or fusion. fusionA nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the concomitant release of energy and often neutrons.

What does a nuclear explosion do?

A nuclear blast, produced by explosion of a nuclear bomb (sometimes called a nuclear detonation), involves the joining or splitting of atoms (called fusion and fission) to produce an intense pulse or wave of heat, light, air pressure, and radiation.

Is the sun a giant nuclear explosion?

The Sun is a main-sequence star, and, as such, generates its energy by nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium. In its core, the Sun fuses 620 million metric tons of hydrogen and makes 616 million metric tons of helium each second.

How does the energy of a nuclear explosion work?

Energy of a Nuclear Explosion. It produces the tremendous heat and light of the sun and the shattering blast of thermonuclear bombs. Nuclear energy results from changes in the nucleus of atoms. Scientists and engineers have found many uses for this energy from the production of electricity to the destructive power of nuclear weapons.

How does the fallout from a nuclear explosion affect humans?

A cloud of nuclear radiation travels from the hypocenter of the explosion, causing an impact to life forms even after the heat waves have ceased. The health effects on humans from nuclear explosions comes from the initial shockwave, the radiation exposure, and the fallout.

How are eyes affected by a nuclear explosion?

There are two types of eye injuries from the thermal radiation of a weapon: Flash blindness is caused by the initial brilliant flash of light produced by the nuclear detonation. More light energy is received on the retina than can be tolerated, but less than is required for irreversible injury.

Can a nuclear explosion occur without a mushroom cloud?

Atmospheric nuclear explosions are associated with mushroom clouds, although mushroom clouds can occur with large chemical explosions. It is possible to have an air-burst nuclear explosion without those clouds. Nuclear explosions produce radiation and radioactive debris.