What makes uranium so dangerous? science behind a nuclear bomb is…
Nuclear Bomb: We all know uranium is a pretty heavy metal which is found naturally under the earth’s surface. The most common form of the metal is 238. The form of uranium which is used in nuclear bomb is uranium-235, which is 0.7 percent of the natural uranium and capable of causing nuclear fission. Hence, before preparing a nuclear bomb enrichment is mandatory. It simply means that increasing the amount of U-235. Normal nuclear plants can enrich uranium to about 3 to 5, while the uranium needed for the bomb requires purity of 90 percent or more U-s35.
How is uranium enriched?
The technology used in the enrichment process is called gas centrifuge. This process involves spinning uranium hexafluoride gas, separating its various isotopes.
How To Create Uranium’s Weaponizable Forms?
Once the uranium is enriched to its desired level, it can be converted into a metal form. Then it is moulded to a specific structure known as core. Then scientists divide the core into two or more parts and keep them separate from each other in the bomb structure to prevent a premature blast. When the nuclear bomb is launched, these core parts are rapidly brought together. This process creates a critical mass, the perfect state in which nuclear fission is possible. Notably, the energy released from a small uranium core is equivalent to thousands of tons of TNT.
When the nuclear bomb explodes, it releases heat, pressure, radiation and nuclear fallout. This effect humans and surrounding environment for decades.
Hiroshima And Nagasaki Nuclear Blasts
Whenever we hear nuclear blast the picture that comes to our mind is the Hiroshima and Nagasaki blasts. The nuclear blasts on Japan’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the most devastating and deadly incidents in the history of humankind. The two nuclear bombs were launched by the United States, and their effect of it can be seen even today. That is why when the two nuclear-powered nations fight, other countries try to end the war through dialogue. India and Pakistan are the latest example of it.
Recently, Israel conducted airstrikes on Iran that led to a deadly conflict between the two nations. Israel said it will not allow Iran to become a nuclear power, or else its existence will be in danger. America also jumped into the war and destroyed Iran’s nuclear bases. However, the 12-day conflict came to an end with a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran.
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