Robert Oppenheimer created the atomic bomb in 1945. He is often called the ‘father of the atomic bomb’. By the end of this article, you will have an understanding of how this historically major invention works.
It starts with the nucleus of an atom which should not be broken or split. Energy is what keeps the nucleus together, so when the nucleus is damaged, a large amount of energy is released. This is similar to the concept of someone throwing a ball with max force at something, such as a vase for example. The amount of energy one puts into throwing that ball will be released onto the vase.
Nuclear bombs often use an element known as Uranium. Why? This is the case because Uranium has one of the biggest and naturally occurring nuclei, causing the most energy released harmed. Its nucleus is the only natural one capable of sustaining a nuclear fission reaction (nuclear fission is the breaking apart of a nucleus).
Usually, it has 92 protons and 146 neutrons, with an atomic mass number of 238. However, the isotope of Uranium that has 143 neutrons is most potent for nuclear fission since it has an atomic mass of 235. Why else is it most potent for nuclear fission? Well, because it has the most unstable nucleus, thus making an easily splittable nucleus. Then, slamming a neutron into Uranium-235 will create the extremely unstable Uranium-236 that is so unstable that it immediately splits into two other elements: Krypton and Barium. It also releases 2 or 3 neutrons.
As you may have presumed, splitting into these elements causes much energy to be released, as well as 2 or 3 neutrons. As the original neutron hits the Uranium-235, these neutrons will hit more Uranium-235 atoms which will, in turn, split into two elements and 2 neutrons...On and on in what is called a nuclear chain reaction. This chain reaction is the devastating explosion of an atom bomb. You can see how this is highly dangerous and uncontrollable.
By: Hemlata Pant
Sources:
“How Do Nuclear Weapons Work?” Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, CND UK, cnduk.org/how-do-nuclear-weapons-work. Accessed 31 July 2020.
“How Does an Atom Bomb Work? And Why Don’t More Countries Have It?” YouTube, uploaded by Arvin Ash, 28 Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrjW-11Y9sY&t=238s.
“Nuclear Fission - Nuclear Fission and Fusion - AQA - GCSE Physics (Single Science) Revision - AQA.” BBC Bitesize, BBC Bitesize, www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zx86y4j/revision/1. Accessed 31 July 2020.
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