Nuclear explosions are the biggest of the big, the most energetic and the cause of some of the most catastrophic calamities in recorded history. The incendiary force of nuclear technology is unrivalled by any other form of human-made explosive. Destructive methods such as trinitrotoluene, better known as TNT, create violent outbursts as a result of chemical reactions between combustible elements, such as carbon and oxygen. Nuclear explosions, on the other hand, occur at an atomic rather than a molecular level.
The term ‘nuclear’ refers to the nucleus, or centre, of an atom, which is made up of particles called protons and neutrons. Different elements have different atomic structures, with some having more or fewer particles in their nucleus. When the number of protons and neutrons in the atoms of an element are balanced, they are considered stable. However, for some elements, the nuclear weighing scales are unbalanced. As part of nature’s attempt to balance the scales, atoms of radioactive elements, such as uranium, expel extra protons and neutrons in a process known as radioactive decay. The rate at which an element sheds these particles is referred to as radioactivity.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 176-utgaven av How It Works UK.
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RESCUE IN SPACE
Fortunately, space emergencies are a rare occurrence, but astronauts and space agencies need to be prepared for any eventuality that might arise
NEANDERTHAL LIVING
Why our prehistoric cousins were pioneers, not clueless apes
BUILDING ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
One World Trade Center rose from the ashes of the Twin Towers. Now, as the tallest building in New York City, it looks to the skies and the future. Here's how this sustainable and secure record-breaker was built
BECOME A SMARTPHONE SCIENTIST
Amazing tips and tricks to transform your smartphone into a bug-finding, star-spotting, data-gathering device
LIFTING THE LID ON ANTARCTICA
What was the coldest continent like without ice?
URBAN WILDLIFE
How wild animals have evolved to thrive alongside humans in towns and cities
WHAT IS SUNBURN?
How solar rays can leave us red, sore and irritated
ALL ABOUT FAT
Fat is a complex, active organ. Here's how genetics, evolution, lifestyle and diet dictate how much we have beneath our skin
The Space Force is launching lasers into orbit
The Space Force aims to better pinpoint the location of Earth's true centre using lasers on GPS satellites, slated to launch in 2025. A set of Laser Retroreflector Arrays, or LRAS, will be installed onto two GPS III satellites, SV9 and SV10, as part of NASA's Space Geodesy Program. The lasers are designed to make precise sub-centimetre measurements using a technique called Satellite Laser Ranging, which will allow researchers to more accurately determine Earth's centre.
Eating too much sugar may accelerate cellular ageing
A nutrient-rich diet with few added sugars may slow the rate of biological ageing in women. Scientists found that middle-aged women who ate more foods packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants had 'younger looking' cells than those who consumed less nutrient-rich diets.
