How it works
The atomic bomb uses nuclear fission to explode. For nuclear fission, the atom's nucleus splits into two smaller pieces, which produces a large amount of energy. There is also nuclear fusion, which is how thermonuclear weapons explode. In nuclear fusion, two smaller atoms are put together to form one larger atom. This creates even more energy, and is the same reaction the sun has to create energy. A nuclear chain reaction is the starting point of an atomic bomb. The nuclear chain reaction can be described as neutrons being fired at atoms at very close range. Soon, the atoms become to heavy and weighed down, so when a neutron is fired at them, they break apart easily into a lighter particle. This does not mean the excess particles from the heavy atom disappear. The leftover atom particles, mostly neutrons, are shot outwards and into other heavy atoms. This creates a chain reaction, or a nuclear chain reaction. This process just described is fission, not fusion.
The atomic bomb uses nuclear fission to explode. For nuclear fission, the atom's nucleus splits into two smaller pieces, which produces a large amount of energy. There is also nuclear fusion, which is how thermonuclear weapons explode. In nuclear fusion, two smaller atoms are put together to form one larger atom. This creates even more energy, and is the same reaction the sun has to create energy. A nuclear chain reaction is the starting point of an atomic bomb. The nuclear chain reaction can be described as neutrons being fired at atoms at very close range. Soon, the atoms become to heavy and weighed down, so when a neutron is fired at them, they break apart easily into a lighter particle. This does not mean the excess particles from the heavy atom disappear. The leftover atom particles, mostly neutrons, are shot outwards and into other heavy atoms. This creates a chain reaction, or a nuclear chain reaction. This process just described is fission, not fusion.