fission bomb
Nuclear splitting explosive
A fission bomb is a nuclear weapon that releases energy by splitting heavy atomic nuclei—typically uranium-235 or plutonium-239.
The splitting atoms trigger a chain reaction that releases enormous destructive force.
The bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were fission bombs.
Also called an atomic bomb or A-bomb, in contrast to the more powerful fusion bomb (hydrogen bomb), which derives additional energy from fusing lighter atoms.
Self-sustaining causal sequence
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
- uranium-235Fissile nuclear isotope
- plutonium-239Fissile actinide isotope
- neutronsUncharged subatomic particles
nucleus · isotopes · subcritical · supercritical · implosion · gun-type · enrichment · cross-section
Distinctive nuclear blast formation
- blast wavePressure surge from detonation
- shockwavePropagating pressure disturbance
- ground zeroExplosion's central impact point
- fireballLuminous meteor or explosion
annihilation · devastation · obliteration · vaporization · crater · overpressure · hypocenter · firestorm
Post-blast atmospheric particles
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- radiation sicknessIllness from ionizing exposure
contamination · nuclear winter · strontium-90 · cesium-137 · iodine-131 · black rain · dosimeter · genetic damage
Escalating weapons accumulation between nations
- nuclear deterrencePreventing war through retaliation threat
- mutually assured destructionReciprocal nuclear annihilation threat
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- nuclear arsenalStockpile of atomic bombs
cold war · ICBM · warhead · first strike · retaliation · nuclear testing · non-proliferation · disarmament
chain reaction
Self-sustaining causal sequence
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
- uranium-235Fissile nuclear isotope
- plutonium-239Fissile actinide isotope
neutrons · nucleus · isotopes · subcritical · supercritical · implosion · gun-type · enrichment · cross-section · little boy
mushroom cloud
Distinctive nuclear blast formation
- blast wavePressure surge from detonation
- shockwavePropagating pressure disturbance
- ground zeroExplosion's central impact point
fireball · annihilation · devastation · obliteration · vaporization · crater · overpressure · hypocenter · firestorm · total destruction
fallout
Post-blast atmospheric particles
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
radiation sickness · contamination · nuclear winter · strontium-90 · cesium-137 · iodine-131 · black rain · dosimeter · genetic damage · birth defects
arms race
Escalating weapons accumulation between nations
- nuclear deterrencePreventing war through retaliation threat
- mutually assured destructionReciprocal nuclear annihilation threat
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
nuclear arsenal · cold war · ICBM · warhead · first strike · retaliation · nuclear testing · non-proliferation · disarmament · nuclear stockpile
- nuclear weaponswarheads, warhead, nuclear warhead, nuke, nuclear missile
- SuperweaponsWMD, doomsday device, superweapon, nuclear warhead, ICBM
fission bombfusion bomb
Thermonuclear explosive device
hydrogen bomb · thermonuclear bomb · H-bomb · thermonuclear weapon
fission bombpeace treaty
Formal end to hostilities
disarmament · nuclear disarmament · diplomacy · olive branch · demilitarization
fission, bomb, fissile, fissioning, bombs, bombed, bombing, bomber, bombers