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The atomic bomb works by a physical phenomenon known as Fission. In this case, particles, specifically nuclei, are split and great amounts of energy are released. This energy is expelled explosively and violently in the atomic bomb. The massive power behind the reaction in an atomic bomb arises from the forces that hold the atom together called the strong nuclear force. The element used in atomic bombs is Uranium-235. Uranium's atoms are unusually large, and henceforth, it is hard for them to hold together firmly. This makes Uranium-235 an exceptional candidate for nuclear fission. Uranium is a heavy metal and has many more neutrons than protons. This does not enhance their capacity to split, but it does have an important bearing on their capactiy to facilitate an explosion. When a U-235 atom splits, it gives off energy in the form of heat and Gamma radiation, which is the most powerful form of radioactivity and the most lethal. When this reaction occurs, the split atom will also give off two or three of its "spare" neutrons, which are not needed to make either of the parts after splitting. These spare neutrons fly out with sufficient force to split other atoms they come in contact with. In theory, it is necessary to split only one U-235 atom, and the neutrons from this will split other atoms, which will split more...so on and so forth. This progression does not take place arithmetically, but geometrically. All of this will happen within a millionth of a second. Uranium is not the only material used for making atomic bombs. Another material is the element Plutonium, in its isotope Pu-239. However, Plutonium will not start a fast chain reaction by itself. The material is not fissionable in and of itself, but may act as a catalyst to the greater reaction. The bomb basically works with a detonating head starting off the explosive chain reaction.

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16y ago
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6mo ago

Uranium is used in atom bombs because it can undergo a process called nuclear fission, where its nucleus is split to release a large amount of energy. This energy release is what powers the explosion in an atom bomb.

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12y ago

Little boy, the bomb dropped over Hiroshima had uranium as fuel but the other one dropped over Nagasaki was a implosion type plutonium bomb.

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9y ago

During the nuclear fission plutonium release a huge amount of energy.

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Q: Why Uranium is used in Atom Bombs?
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Is uranium used in atomic bombs?

Yes, uranium is used in atomic bombs as a key component for fission reactions. Both uranium-235 and uranium-238 isotopes can be used in the production of nuclear weapons, with uranium-235 being the preferred isotope due to its higher reactivity.


How was uranium used in warfare and medicine?

Uranium was used in warfare as the main component in atomic bombs, such as those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. In medicine, uranium is used in radiation therapy for cancer treatment, as well as in certain diagnostic imaging procedures.


What do you need to know about uranium?

- uranium is radioactive- uranium has 3 natural isotopes and many artificial isotopes- uranium is a solid metal- uranium is dense; 19,1 g/cm3- the atomic weight is 238,02891(3)- the atomic number is 92- the melting point is 1 0132,2 0C- the boiling point is 4 131 0C- uranium is paramagnetic- the covalent radius of uranium atom is 196+/-7 pm- the crystalline structure is orthorombic- uranium is used in nuclear fuels for nuclear reactors- depleted uranium can be used for armors and ammunition- uranium can be used in atomic bombs- etc.


Mass of uranium atom?

The mass of a uranium atom is approximately 238 atomic mass units. It is one of the heaviest naturally occurring elements.


Which atom is the heaviest helium uranium lead iron Hydrogen?

Uranium is the heaviest atom listed.

Related questions

What metal isotopes are generally used in atom bombs and nuclear reactors?

plutonium and uranium


Why is uranium 238 used to make atomic bombs?

Uranium-235 (not uranium-238) is used in atomic bombs; under nuclear fission with neutrons uranium release an enormous quantity of energy (202,5 MeV per one atom of 235U).


Is uranium in atomic bombs?

Yes, uranium can be used in atomic bombs.


What wasthe name of the second atom bomb?

The two atom bombs were the plutonium bomb and the uranium bomb.


What bombs is uranium used in?

Uranium is used in atomic bombs - bombs with uranium 235 (enriched more than 20%, with 92% or 93% being typical weapons grade uranium, also called orealloy for Oak Ridge Alloy).


What is used in atomic bombs?

Uranium which is a fuel is used in atomic bombs and in nuclear power stations.


Is uranium used in atomic bombs?

Yes, uranium is used in atomic bombs as a key component for fission reactions. Both uranium-235 and uranium-238 isotopes can be used in the production of nuclear weapons, with uranium-235 being the preferred isotope due to its higher reactivity.


How is uranium commonly used?

In bombs and nuclear power plants


How was uranium used in warfare and medicine?

Uranium was used in warfare as the main component in atomic bombs, such as those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. In medicine, uranium is used in radiation therapy for cancer treatment, as well as in certain diagnostic imaging procedures.


What element if often enriched and used in nuclear bombs?

The element often enriched and used in nuclear bombs is uranium-235. It is the preferred isotope for nuclear weapons due to its capability to sustain a chain reaction.


Which was the original element used in bombs?

If we are talking about the nuclear bombs used in ww2, 1 plutonium bomb and 1 uranium bomb.


What type of atom is used in nuclear reactors?

The fuel in current reactors is all uranium. Usually enriched to 3% uranium-235.Someday part of the fuel might be plutonium, either recycled from bombs or made in breeder reactors. But not now.