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Nuclear Weapons

Definition

Nuclear weapons are explosive devices that derive their destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. These weapons release large quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter.

Analogy

Think of a nuclear weapon as an extremely dangerous firecracker. A regular firecracker uses chemical reactions to create a small explosion, but a nuclear weapon uses nuclear reactions (fission or fusion) to create an enormously more powerful blast.

Related terms

Atomic Bomb: A type of nuclear weapon that uses nuclear fission to release energy.

Hydrogen Bomb: Also known as thermonuclear bomb, it's a more powerful type of nuclear weapon that uses both fission and fusion processes for a much larger explosion.

Radiation Fallout: The residual radioactive material propelled into the upper atmosphere following a nuclear blast or accident, which can cause widespread contamination and long-term hazards.