Nuclear bombs are weapons of mass destruction that use the energy released when the nucleus of an atom splits or merges. This process is called nuclear fission or nuclear fusion, depending on the type of bomb: Fission bombs Use nuclear fission to split the nucleus of a heavy element like uranium or plutonium into two or more smaller nuclei. This process releases thermal energy, gamma rays, and neutrons, which can strike and split more nuclei, creating a chain reaction that consumes almost all the fissionable material. The result is a huge fireball, shock wave, and radioactive fallout that can be lethal. Fusion bombs Use a combination of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion, where the nuclei of two atoms combine to form a single heavier atom.
