Nuclear weapons
Nuclear weapons
Nuclear weapons (pronunciation: /ˈnjuːklɪər ˈwɛpən/) are explosive devices that derive their destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission (fission bomb) or a combination of fission and fusion (thermonuclear weapon). Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter.
Etymology
The term "nuclear" comes from the Latin nucleus, meaning "core", referring to the core of an atom where the nuclear reactions take place. The term "weapon" comes from the Old English wǣpen, meaning a tool or device used for fighting or warfare.
Related Terms
- Fission: The process of splitting a large atomic nucleus into two smaller ones, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.
- Fusion: The process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.
- Thermonuclear weapon: A nuclear weapon that uses the energy from a primary nuclear fission reaction to compress and ignite a secondary nuclear fusion reaction.
- Atomic bomb: A weapon with a destructive force resulting from the rapid release of energy upon the splitting, or fission, of the nuclei of such heavy elements as plutonium or uranium.
- Hydrogen bomb: A thermonuclear weapon in which the energy of an advanced nuclear fission bomb is used to compress and ignite a secondary stage of nuclear fusion.
See Also
- Nuclear fission
- Nuclear fusion
- Radioactive decay
- Chain reaction
- Critical mass
- Manhattan Project
- Cold War
- Nuclear disarmament
- Nuclear proliferation
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nuclear weapons
- Wikipedia's article - Nuclear weapons
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