NUCLEAR BOMB

Recently, President Vladimir Putin's alarming statements to the G7's call for a nuclear-free world, the gravity of these weapons cannot be underestimated. In light of the recent movie "Oppenheimer", which delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding their creation, it is essential to understand the science behind nuclear bombs and the profound consequences they carry.

2. About Atoms and Nuclear Fission

• To comprehend nuclear weapons, we must first understand the fundamental building blocks of matter: atoms.
• Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons, with the nucleus containing protons and neutrons at its core.
• Unstable atoms, known as radioactive isotopes, can undergo nuclear fission, breaking into two lighter elements and releasing atomic energy.
• Uranium-235, a rare isotope of uranium is the most common fuel for nuclear fission due to its ability to quickly undergo induced fission.

3. Enriching Uranium

• Practical implementation of nuclear weapons requires overcoming several challenges.
• Natural uranium, comprising mostly non-fissionable U-238, must be enriched to increase the concentration of U-235. 
• This enrichment process is carried out in specialized facilities, demands complex equipment and poses a significant non-proliferation challenge.

4. Triggering the Chain Reaction

• Engineers face the task of ensuring that a nuclear bomb is not triggered prematurely, preventing accidental explosions.
• Fission bombs utilize two primary trigger mechanisms: gun-type and implosion devices.
• The former involves shooting one subcritical mass into another to form a supercritical mass and initiate the chain reaction.
• The latter, used for plutonium bombs, compresses subcritical masses together to achieve critical mass and initiate the explosion.

5. Fusion Bombs

• While fission bombs are highly destructive, fusion bombs, also known as hydrogen bombs or H-bombs, are far more powerful.
• Fusion involves combining the nuclei of hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and tritium, releasing immense energy.
• Fusion bombs are complex, requiring a fission bomb to generate the necessary heat and pressure for fusion to occur.

6. The impact of Nuclear Explosions

Nuclear explosions release four types of energy

1. A blast wave capable of devastating physical structures,
2. Intense heat causes instant destruction,
3. Bright light leads to permanent blindness at considerable distances and
4. Deadly radiation is emitted immediately and over time.

7. The Way Forward

• The science behind nuclear weapons is based on harnessing the energy released through nuclear fission and fusion reactions.
• As discussions on their potential use and disarmament continue, it is vital to comprehend the destructive power they possess and the ethical challenges they raise.
• A world free from nuclear weapons remains an aspirational goal, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts and international cooperation to address this critical global issue.